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Saints looking for first win of season

Oct 7, 2007 - 10:28 AM Carolina (2-2) at New Orleans (0-3) Sunday 1:00 pm EDT

NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) - A season filled with great expectations already has turned sour for the New Orleans Saints.

One of three winless teams, the disappointing Saints host the NFC South rival Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Expected to be among the favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLII, the Saints have come nowhere close to living up to those lofty expectations. They join the Miami Dolphins (0-4) and St. Louis Rams (0-4) as the NFL's only winless teams

The Saints' problems could be pointed at quarterback Drew Brees, who has just one touchdown and seven interceptions and a laughable 57.1 rating.

Perhaps the bye week will help Brees turn around his struggles. Two weeks ago, he threw four interceptions as the Saints endured a 31-14 loss here to the Tennessee Titans.

Only five teams have made the playoffs following an 0-3 start, with the Buffalo Bills being the last in 1998.

"I'm not worried one bit," Brees said. "I'm a believer we're going to take whatever negative is thrown at us and turn it into a positive.

The Saints' running game will have a different look with Deuce McAllister (knee) out for the season. More of the burden will fall upon Reggie Bush, who has rushed for just 80 yards on 29 carries (2.8) average.

There also is some turmoil surrounding the Panthers, who are coming off last Sunday's 20-7 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After the game in which the Panthers were dominated on both sides of the ball, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins said the team lacked heart, passion and drive.

Against the Bucs, the Panthers managed just 236 total yards as David Carr started at quarterback in place of Jake Delhomme (elbow), who remains questionable.

Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith also grew frustrated against the Bucs. Held to five catches for 32 yards, Smith was seen yelling at coaches on the phone on the sideline during the second half. He has six catches in the last two games after pulling in 15 in the first two games.

Carolina has swept New Orleans each of the last two seasons.