Grill Bill: Why so much despair over matchup with Saints?

Website submission from John in Durham: Why is there so much despair about the Saints matchup? They played mediocre down the stretch going 3-3 in their last six. They are missing three defensive starters and have been susceptible to the run down the stretch. If Trai Turner returns we have a good chance.

I’m not usually a glass-half-full kind of guy. And in the 13 seasons I’ve covered the Panthers, I think I’ve also proven I’m not a homer. But I’m a bit perplexed, too, John.

Listen, I totally get some of the gloom. The offense was not good in the final two games of the regular season, and the Panthers are going to a tough place to play against a team that outscored them 65-34 this season. But…