New Orleans at Carolina

Think the Saints will be playing their hearts out for New Orleans (former) residents on Sunday? I sure do. Don't be surprised if the Saints get as big an ovation at the beginning of this game as the home-town Panthers. Lots of folks have Carolina as a "sleeper" team this season, bouncing back from some poor luck last season. I agree that they'll be much improved a force this season. But, the public is all over this opinion and this line is just too large. Duece McCallister has found his way to the top of NFL fantasy football draft lists. Last year against this Carolina defense, he ran for 140 yards, propelling the Saints to a 3-point win. Also emerging as a star is the Saints' Joe Horn. The Saints can score against this defense and their emotional edge is not to be underestimated. My computer simulation for this game predicts a very small Carolina win by two points. Take the Saints plus the touchdown for one star.