Last Sunday didn’t go as planned for the New Orleans Saints as they lost coming off their bye week 33-28 to the Detroit Lions. The Black and Gold were down by 21 points in the game’s first seven minutes. The offense battled back and had a chance to win but couldn’t come up with a last-minute score.
Since going on a three-game losing streak, New Orleans has dropped from first to third in the worst division in the NFL and finds themselves a game and a half back from the leading Falcons.
Now the 5-7 Saints will remain at home and welcome in a struggling Panthers team, who have fired their head coach. Back in the Drew Brees-Cam Newton era, these games would be shootouts where whoever got the ball last would likely be the winner but it’s been quite different the last few years with the two teams not capable of combining for 40 points.
This series finale between the Saints and Panthers will be on Sunday, December 10th. Kickoff in the Caesars Superdome is set for noon.
GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION
In their first matchup during week two, the Black and Gold escaped Bank of America Stadium with a 20-17 win to improve to 2-0 and dropped the Panthers to 0-2.
Since then, the Saints have lost seven of their last 10 games with the last three being losses, and are now 5-7. Carolina since their last matchup has only won one game and is the only NFL team mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
The third and fourth-place teams in the NFC South are in the bottom half of the league in points per game (Saints 19th – 21.4, Panthers 29th – 15.9). Carolina is also 30th in total offensive yards per game at 267.3 while New Orleans is 11th with 348.3. The yardage is good and we’ve seen the Saints move up and down the field between the 20’s but once Carr and that offense get in the red zone, they find different ways to stall out and limit the points they score.
ROOKIE STRUGGLES
Quarterback Bryce Young was taken first overall by Carolina in last April’s NFL draft. It hasn’t gone as well as some other quarterbacks that were taken after him like CJ Stroud.
The 5’10” signal-caller hasn’t been gifted the best offensive situation as his most consistent receiver has been a 33-year-old Adam Thielen. Miles Sanders, who signed a three-year deal the past offseason has been relegated to a backup role behind third-year running back Chuba Hubbard.
Young’s 9-9 touchdown-interceptions ratio and 60.6 completion percentage aren’t the only underwhelming statistics. The former Crimson Tide’s offensive line has allowed him to be sacked 44 times. In nine of his first 12 games, Young has been dropped at least four times. New Orleans has recorded the third-fewest sacks in the league with 19 but could bump those numbers up on Sunday as their defensive line will face a poor Panthers offensive line.
WORRIES IN THE BACKFIELD
After getting knocked out of last game with a concussion, Derek Carr has cleared concussion protocol and is projected to suit up and start on Sunday. The 150 million dollar man has two other injuries that he is dealing with, including his throwing shoulder and ribs.
The other issue in the quarterback room is Taysom Hill. Hill’s been a spark in the run game this season but may not be out there against the Panthers. The former BYU Cougar hasn’t practiced all week as he’s been dealing with injuries to his foot and left hand.
It’ll be a huge blow to the Black and Gold if Hill can’t go on Sunday with a lack of production from Jamaal Williams and rookie Kendre Miller is going to miss another game due to a bad ankle.
SERIES RECORD: Saints lead 30-28
Last 5 meetings:
2023: NO 20 – CAR 17
2022: CAR 10 – CAR 7
2022: CAR 22 – NO 14
2021: NO 18 – CAR 10
2021: CAR 26 – NO 7
STAT LEADERS
SAINTS
Derek Carr: 261-394 2,761 yards, 11 TD, 6 INT
Alvin Kamara: 133 carries, 508 yards, 4 TD
Chris Olave: 68 catches, 890 yards, 3 TD
Carl Granderson: 5.5 sacks
Demario Davis: 83 tackles (52 solo)
Blake Grupe: 24-of-30 field goals, Long of 55
PANTHERS
Bryce Young: 231-381 2,055 yards, 9 TD, 9 INT
Chuba Hubbard: 143 carries, 557 yards, 4 TD
Adam Thielen: 80 catches, 753 yards, 4 TD
Brian Burns: 6 sacks
Frankie Luvu: 90 tackles (51 solo)
Eddy Pineiro: 19-of-22 field goals, Long of 56
NOTABLE INJURIES:
SAINTS
Isaiah Foskey, DE, Quad, Out
Taysom Hill, QB, Foot/Left Hand, Questionable
Cam Jordan, DE, Ankle, Questionable
Marcus Maye, S, Shoulder, Out/IR
Kendre Miller, RB, Ankle, Out
Malcolm Roach, DT, Knee, Out/IR
Rashid Shaheed, WR, Thigh, Questionable
Derek Carr, QB, Concussion/Rib/Right Shoulder, Probable
Juwan Johnson, TE, Quad, Questionable
Erik McCoy, C, Shoulder, Probable
Andrus Peat, T/G, Shoudler, Probable
Ryan Ramczyk, T, Rest/Knee, Probable
Pete Werner, LB, Shoulder/Oblique, Questionable
Blake Grupe, K, Right Groin, Questionable
Chris Olave, WR, Illness, Questionable
Nick Saldivari, OG, Shoulder, Questionable
PANTHERS
Troy Hill, CB, Ankle, Questionable
Taylor Moton, T, Knee, Questionable
DeShawn Williams, DE, Knee, Questionable
Vonn Bell, S, Shoulder, Probable
Bradley Bozeman, C, Ankle, Questionable
Jeremy Chinn, S, Quad, Questionable
Yetur Gross-Matos, OLB, Hamstring, Questionable
Marquis Haynes Sr., OLB, Back, Questionable
Jaycee Horn, CB, Hamstring, Questionable
Hayden Hurst, TE, Concussion, Out
Stephen Sullivan, TE, Shoulder, Questionable
Tommy Tremble, TE, Hip, Questionable
Amare Barno, OLB, Ankle, Probable