The Panthers three game winning streak came to an end last week against the Bears, and they're looking to start a new one when they take on the Saints in New Orleans on Sunday (1:00 WBT). To do it they'll have to slow down one of the NFL's most potent offenses. Drew Brees and company are averaging 30 points a game and are loaded with weapons. The Saints are coming off a bye and are 3-2 on the season.
The Carolina Panthers (3-3) three-game winning streak came to an end last week against the Bears, and they're looking to start a new one on Sunday (1:00 p.m., Radio: WBT). What may stand in their way is a pivotal NFC South battle in the 'Big Easy' with the New Orleans Saints (3-2), who are coming off a bye week after winning two straight games.
Matt Rhule's team will have to slow down one of the NFL's most potent offenses. Drew Brees and company are averaging 30 points a game and the future hall of fame passer is loaded with weapons.
The 41-year-old Brees has proven to be one of the best quarterbacks in the game time and time again. He has passed for over 1,300 yards and 9 touchdowns this season which certainly impressed Rhule. “He sees what you're going to do,” said Rhule. “He knows where the ball should go, he knows the timing, he knows the spacing – he plays so fast as a result. He's a fearless competitor, has elite pocket movement, tremendously accurate, and he's a winner.”
What make Brees and the Saints even more dangerous is they've been winning games without star receiver Michael Thomas, who's the NFL's reigning Offensive Player of the Year. Thomas has been held out of practice week being sidelined by an ankle injury and now is reportedly nursing a hamstring injury as well. He's listed as questionable for the game. But stepping up in his place has been Alvin Kamara. The do-it-all running back leads the Saints in rushing and receiving and has seven touchdowns. “Everybody talks about Kamara and his balance and how good he is,” said Panther safety Sam Franklin. “He has great vision, great speed. Even when he looks like he's not moving fast, he's really moving fast.”
Slowing Kamara down is the key to forcing New Orleans' offense into uncomfortable territory. But the Panthers also have to deal with the Saints defense, which ranks 6th in the NFL on holding teams to fewer than 100 yards in a contest. They've got a stout front line, anchored by perennial Pro Bowl defensive end Cam Jordan. Veteran linebacker Demario Davis is on pace for his fourth straight 100-tackle season, and the secondary features a trio of Pro Bowlers in cornerbacks Marcus Lattimore and Janoris Jenkins and veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins. “We know what they are,” said Panther center Matt Paradis. “They've won a ton of games, they're experienced, they play very fast, very aggressive - they're an attacking defense. So we've got to play our game.”
This game marks a homecoming of sorts for Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who played two seasons with the Saints. But he's not worried about facing his former teammates, he just wants to start a new winning streak and remain in contention in the NFC South. “New Orleans just happens to be the next opponent on our schedule. It's a divisional game, it's an important game.”
Carolina is 2-7 in the past nine meetings against New Orleans. The Panthers last win in the series came at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Dec. 30, 2018. A 33-14 victory behind 228 yards and two touchdowns from third-string quarterback Kyle Allen.