CHARLOTTE — The Panthers had been able to count on Rico Dowdle to carry the load.

On a day when the opponent was determined not to let him, the Panthers weren't able to adjust, in a 17-7 loss to the Saints.

Dowdle, the NFC's leading rusher heading into the week, was held to just 53 yards rushing on 18 carries (2.9 per attempt).

And he could see it coming by the way the Saints lined up, and every time they adjusted, the Saints brought more big people and more pressure.

"Heavy boxes from the start, safeties dropping out of the sky, things like that," he said with a shake of his head at the Saints' defensive emphasis.

The Panthers were averaging 139.7 per game as a team, fifth in the league, and Dowdle was the main part of that.

He had 735 rushing yards entering the game and was avera

See Full Page