4 key Panthers matchups to watch vs. the Saints in Week 17
By Dean Jones
Taylor Moton vs. Cameron Jordan
This was a key matchup we picked out for the first encounter of the season between the Carolina Panthers and Saints in Week 7. And it was pretty much as advertised between two of the best at their respective positions in Cameron Jordan and Taylor Moton.
The right tackle has dealt with some of the league’s most formidable pass-rushers with ease this season. It was once again evident in his first encounter against Jordan, restricting the Pro Bowler to two tackles and no sacks in a narrow loss at the Mercedez-Benz Superdome.
That has been the story of the season for Moton, who has earned a bumper payday this offseason. Hopefully, this will be in Carolina, and the decision-makers must do everything in their power to keep their best offensive lineman on the roster at a time when it appears as if there’s going to be a complete overhaul to other areas of the protection.
Just how much time Jordan will spend on the field will largely come down to what’s occurring at Soldier Field. If the game is getting away from the Bears then Sean Payton won’t hesitate to pull his starters at the earliest possible opportunity and the veteran defensive end will be one of the first to hit the sidelines in this scenario.
Moton has some extra motivation for this one, too. This is the last chance to leave his mark and strengthen his position at the bargaining table, so he won’t want to end on a sour note.