Week One NFL Preview - Carolina Panthers at St. Louis Rams

The Carolina Panthers travel to the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis during week one and it promises to be an exciting match up. Both teams expect to be in the playoff hunt, and both should be significantly better this season. For the Panthers, it is all about the fact that they finally are healthy again. Injuries decimated their season in 2006 starting with their superstar Steve Smith and working it's way through the entire lineup at one time or another. The Rams look to be better due to an improved defensive, and the emergence of star running back Steven Jackson. The Rams already are a premiere passing team with Torry Holt, Issac Bruce, and star quarterback Marc Bulger. Now they can run the ball too.

The Panthers will look to move the ball on the ground with a healthy offensive line, and two capable runners. Deangelo Williams and the often injured Deshawn Foster will carry the bulk of the load, and each have game changing talent when on their games. The air attack should be strong as well, as the Panthers are sporting some new weapons and better depth than in recent years. Steve Smith is healthy again and primed for a career year. The quarterback position in Carolina looks much brighter due to the signing of David Carr, formerly a number one pick. Jake Delhomme will be the starter going in, but might want to look over his shoulder.

The Rams are high powered in every way offensively, and all they need is for the defense to step it up this season. The one two combination of Bruce and Holt is virtually unstoppable, and Steven Jackson is busting out as one of the NFL elite. Look for them to try to remain balanced against a formidable Carolina defense.

Carolina will try to contain the Ram's rushing attack and make them one dimensional. They will need to have a bend and not break defense as the Rams are to talented to stop entirely. If the Panthers can hold the Rams under 28 points, then they should win this week one shootout. The Rams will try to shut down Steve Smith, and will have a tough time doing so. Smith is far better than the Rams secondary, and he will shine in this contest. The Panthers will win, but barely.