Sunday, the Carolina Panthers face their most challenging test to date in a visit with the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens began the year 4-0, but suffered their 1st loss Monday Night at Denver 13-3. The competition was even closer than the score in a defensive battle that was 3-3 going into the 4th quarter. The Panthers finally broke .500 with an expected 20-12 win hosting the Cleveland Browns in preparation for potentially the toughest stretch of the year.

Finally the time the Panthers have been waiting for has arrived as the team will begin battling the elite of the NFL. 1st up is the Ravens. Since offensive guru Brian Billick took over the Ravens in 99 the team has boasted 1 of the best defenses in the NFL, and surprisingly, 1 of the worst offenses. That trend is alive in 06. The Ravens defense, after several key injuries a year ago, has taken the team back into contention. There are few holes in a Ravens defense that is ranked in the top 5 of the NFL in every major defensive category. The DL has taken up blocks and allowed a LBing unit featuring defensive leader Ray Lewis, as well as Bart Scott and Adalius Thomas to make a lot of tackles. The secondary is led by arguably the best FS in the NFL in Ed Reed. Samari Rolle and Chris McAllister present also one of the best CBing tandems in the NFL. On the other side of the ball, despite the addition of veteran QB Steve McNair, the offense continues to rank toward the bottom of the league. McNair has not played extremely well, and RB Jamal Lewis looks far from the player that went for 2000 yards in 03. However, the offense has proven weapons in WR Derrick Mason and TE Todd Heap, and must not be overlooked Sunday.

The Panthers have done a nice job the past 3 weeks of winning games the team was expected to win. However, 5 weeks in, it is hard to say if the Panthers are the contenders everyone once thought. If the Panthers continue to improve, as has been the trend, then the team can definitely win in Baltimore. The defense is starting to come around, and must shut down the Ravens anemic offense to give the team a chance. The game may be decided by the play of the Panthers offense. The unit must play up to potential for the 1st time this season against 1 of the better defenses in the NFL. This maybe the week that Steve Smith must showcase the playmaking ability that took the Panthers to the NFC Championship a year ago. Anticipation is high as this week will go a long way in proving if the Panthers are for real.

The Carolina Panthers announced Wednesday that defensive leader MLB Dan Morgan is out for the rest of the season. Morgan suffered a concussion early in the opener against the Atlanta Falcons. It was also made public today that he suffered a concussion in the preseason opener. The 2 concussions, coming in a span of 1 month, make a known 6 that Morgan has suffered in his career. Morgan had been working with the team in practice of late and initially hoped to return to the field as early as this Sunday at Baltimore. However, an expert on concussions, Dr. Mickey Collins, evaluated Morgan Tuesday and recommended he not return this season.

Despite the setback, Morgan has said that he is looking forward to returning to the Panthers next season, putting to rest any speculation that he may have played the final game of his career. He will meet again with Dr. Collins in February, seeking medical clearance to return to action. Morgan has stated that he is aware of the long-term danger involved with suffering multiple concussions, but believes he has not reached a point where he must give up football.

From an X's and O's standpoint, the loss of Dan Morgan is a significant one. Morgan is considered the glue of the Panthers defense. When healthy, Morgan, who recorded over 20 tackles in Super Bowl XXXVIII, is one of the best MLBers in the NFL. Unfortunately, during his 6 year career, his greatest obstacle has been staying healthy. And maybe because of this the Panthers can recover. Veteran Chris Draft has performed admirably in Morgan's place dating back to last season. He may not be as physically gifted as Morgan, but he gives the team experience needed in helping guide first year starter Thomas Davis and newcomer Na'il Diggs.

The real question for Dan Morgan is far from the football field, but in regards to his own life. He has adamently said that once concussions begin affecting his long-term health he will leave the sport. Morgan recently became a father and has a bright future regardless of football. He must put football to the side and think of what really matters, his well being and his family. If the time comes, he must be willing to make the difficult decision to leave football, in the interest of his future.

The Carolina Panthers made it 3 in a row Sunday with a victory over the Cleveland Browns, leaving with their first winning record of 2006. The contest was not as close as the 20-12 score may indicate. After the Browns scored the 1st 3 points, the Panthers seized momentum with an INT return for a TD. The Panthers offense added a TD in the 2nd quarter and John Kasay kicked 2 2nd half FGs to assure the win.

Coming into this game, many believed that the Panther's offense was primed for a huge day. However, it was the defense that, for the 1st time this season, completely lived up to its billing. The unit as a whole was suffocating. Browns RB Reuben Droughns had little room to run as the Panther's highly touted DL dominated the battle at the line of scrimmage. This allowed the LBs to make 17 tackles compared to the safties 4, a clear indicator of the defensive front's dominance. In the passing game, QB Charlie Frye was pressured all day. Julius Peppers had a monsterous day. Despite recording only 1 sack, Peppers was chasing Frye seemingly every pass play and completely controlled the game from his DE position. The coverage was also excellent as the Browns heralded young playmakers were nonexistent. Ken Lucas, recovering from various injuries, was great, as was Chris Gamble. Rookie Richard Marshall also contributed, scoring a TD on the 1st INT of his career.

On the other side of the ball, the inexperienced OL looked solid as DeShaun Foster ran for 100 yards for the 2nd consecutive week and Jake Delhomme had time to throw. Delhomme, who has thrown just 1 INT all year, was an extremely efficient 20/29 for 170 yards and 1 TD. Keyshawn Johnson again played well and continues to sore past what were already reasonably high expectations. However, the Panthers were a very disturbing 0/11 on 3rd downs, a weakness all year. This thwarted the offense for most of the day and was partly due to Steve Smith uncharacteristically dropping several passes. However, this may have been a blessing in disguise as Smith is sure to be in search of redemption next Sunday.

After an 0-2 start, the Panthers have won 3 straight games. But the gauntlet that is the rest of October for the Panthers is set to strike, beginning with a visit to Baltimore. The defense was great today, however, there are still kinks to be worked through on offense. The team has progessively improved week to week, and that trend must continue if the Panthers are going to have a chance against the Baltimore Ravens.