5 bold predictions for Carolina Panthers vs. the Saints in Week 2
By Brian Lane
Brian Burns and Haason Reddick will team up for four sacks and one forced fumble
Towards the latter part of the 2020 season, the Carolina Panthers’ defense made several strong strides in the right direction in developing a potent unit. They used all their 2020 draft class on defense and this year’s first-round pick as well.
That group now has a year of experience coupled with some veteran additions brought in during the 2021 free agency period.
One of those additions, Haason Reddick, already looks the part.
Reddick racked in 12.5 sacks a year ago for the Arizona Cardinals and teams up with his old college coach in Matt Rhule. No one was more excited about the signing than third-year defensive end, Brian Burns.
The duo has already shown in their little time during preseason and one week of regular-season action, they can become a very dynamic duo.
It’s football, so there is always competition out on the field.
Even for teammates.
So much so that Burns and Reddick have a friendly wager going this year to see who finishes the season with more sacks. The loser buys the other a golf cart of the winner’s choosing.
Now after one week, Reddick holds a slim lead with 1.5 sacks, while Burns has one. The New Orleans Saints are without their starting center Erik McCoy for Sunday, so there will be some shuffling of the offensive line.
No two players will be happier to see that than Burns and Reddick. Look for them to make a living in the backfield on Sunday and make their bet even more interesting.