Associated Press
CHARLOTTE -- The unstoppable offense has been slowed a bit. The opportunistic defense has some holes. Perfection was dashed, followed by embarrassment a week later.
Instead of being in the middle of a New Orleans-sized celebration for capturing the franchise's first No. 1 playoff seed, the Saints (13-2) go into today's regular-season finale against the Carolina Panthers (7-8) looking to get their mojo back.
Yet as the game drew closer, Coach Sean Payton started having second thoughts on how much, if any, to play his starters against the suddenly dangerous Panthers. Quarterback Drew Brees and safety Darren Sharper are among a list of veterans who aren't expected to play.
Fear of injury trumps wanting to finish strong.
"Everyone knows going into the playoffs you want to be peaking and playing your best football," Sharper said. "As of late, we are not doing that."
Brees will be the No. 3 QB behind starter Mark Brunell and rookie Chase Daniel, while the Saints' struggling defense won't be at full strength.
It seems like no coach wants his quarterback to face the Panthers these days.
Out of the postseason race for more than a month, Carolina has stunned playoff-bound Minnesota and ended the New York Giants' postseason hopes with consecutive routs by a combined 67-16, looking nothing like the team the started 0-3 and lost to the Saints in Week 9.
Vikings coach Brad Childress wanted to take out Brett Favre in the third quarter against Carolina after he was constantly getting hit. Now it appears Brees won't play against Julius Peppers and company.
"Whatever their motives are, it's not our concern," Panthers linebacker Na'il Diggs said. "Our concern is finishing on a high note and finishing up strong."
The Saints have been a bit off for more than a month. The defense is where the struggles have been pronounced. Tampa Bay rushed for 176 yards in its win over the Saints last week, and New Orleans has dropped to 24th in the league in total defense. Now the Saints face a team that has been running over opponents.
Jonathan Stewart, filling in for injured Pro Bowl pick DeAngelo Williams, rushed for a franchise-record 206 yards in Carolina's drubbing of the Giants. Williams and Stewart are only the sixth pair of teammates since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to each rush for more than 1,000 yards.
Throw in Matt Moore's nearly flawless performance the past two games (six touchdown passes, no interceptions) and the Panthers are suddenly potent on offense after struggling to score with Jake Delhomme at quarterback. But Carolina will be without star receiver Steve Smith, who broke his arm catching a touchdown pass against the Giants.
"It's good to not have to face him on Sunday," said Sharper, who is tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions.
The game will end a tumultuous season for Carolina, hobbled by injuries and uncertainty. Coach John Fox is expected back next season, but hasn't been offered a contract extension beyond 2010 and could try to seek other jobs. Julius Peppers could be in for another free-agency tussle after leading the team with 10Ôªø1
