Panthers vs. Saints: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

The regular season comes to an end with two NFC South teams looking to finish the season with a win, as the Carolina Panthers (6-9) take on the New Orleans Saints (12-3). 

The Panthers and Saints put on a wild game the last time they got together back in Week 5. That game saw the Saints pull out a victory with a Pierre Thomas touchdown run with 50 seconds left. 

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA

When: Sunday, Jan 1, 1:00 PM ET

Watch: FOX

Listen: Carolina Panthers: WTIB 103.7 FM New Orleans Saints: WWL 870 AM

Live Stream: You can watch the game at TV Fanatic.

Betting Line: According to 5Dimes, the Saints are a nine-point favorite. You should take the Saints in this game because of their dominance at home. They are a perfect 7-0 this year, having scored over 30 points in six of their seven wins.

What's At Stake?

For the Saints, a win keeps their hopes alive at securing the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. However, if they happen to lose, they will not lose out on being the No. 3 seed in the NFC. 

For the Panthers, they are playing for draft position. If they win, they go onto finish their season at 7-9 and further down the draft order in the first round. A 6-10 finish, however, moves them up in the first round.

Carolina Injury Report (According to ESPN.com)

WR Legedu Naanee is out for Sunday’s game with a broken bone in his foot.

New Orleans Injury Report (According to ESPN.com)

WR Lance Moore is questionable with a hamstring injury, which he suffered during Monday's game.

RB Mark Ingram was inactive for last week’s game against Atlanta. 

Fantasy Start 'Em, Sit' Em and Sleeper

Start ‘Em—Panthers quarterback Cam Newton

The last time Newton went against the Saints, he had a very good day with 224 passing yards and two touchdowns along with another 27 rushing yards and another touchdown. Against the Saints this week, he will have another big game, with an increase in passing yards. 

You can expect Newton to go off for 300 passing yards, three touchdowns and another rushing score. 

Sit ‘Em—Saints Quarterback Drew Brees

Before you go and roast me over the coals for sitting Brees you have to take into account that this game is meaningless to the Saints. If they win they could move up to the No. 2 spot in the NFC. If they lose they stay at No. 3. 

The Saints could get an early first half lead, then decide to sit Brees for the entire second half. 

That means you’ll be stuck seeing Brees wearing a baseball cap, instead of throwing touchdowns for your team. 

Sleeper—Saints Running Back Pierre Thomas

Thomas led the Saints last week in carries with nine. He was able to have a successful day, rushing for 53 yards and scoring once. 

If the Saints get up big in this game, they will put in backup quarterback Chase Daniels and look to run the ball more than pass. This means that Thomas will see an increase in his production. 

The Panthers have been giving up 126 yards per game to running backs, so Thomas has an excellent chance at being productive this week.

What They're Saying

Panthers: Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer takes a look at Newton’s chances at making the Pro Bowl as a reserve. 

"

Cam Newton was third in the fan voting for the Pro Bowl, but couldn't crack the top three in the final balloting, which also includes players' and coaches' votes. But he was close enough. A league source said Tuesday evening Newton is the NFC's first alternate and is expected to be in Hawaii for the Jan. 29 game. 

"

Saints: Brett Martel of the Associated Press takes a look at the backlash that Saints head coach Sean Payton felt when he rested starters during the Super Bowl season of 2009. 

"

Payton pointed out that he heard criticism of his decision during the 2009 season to rest Brees and other key starters in the regular-season finale against Carolina. The Saints lost that game, finishing a season that had started 13-0 on a three-game skid. No team had ever gone into the playoffs on a losing streak that long and won the Super Bowl, but Payton relished the chance to defy history—and did. “It was what we needed to do as a team,” Payton recalled of his 2009 decision. “You make decisions. They are not always right. You try to make them with the right things to help your team."

"

Panthers Player to Watch—Cam Newton

Newton will be the best player on the field whenever the Panthers are on the field. Last week, he carried the Panthers to a dominating victory of the Tampa Buccaneers with four touchdowns, after throwing for 171 passing yards and rushing for 65 yards. 

Newton will look to improve his rookie stats in this game against the Saints, while trying to lock up this year’s Rookie of the Year Award.

Saints Player to Watch—Jimmy Graham

Graham leads this Saints team in receptions with 91, targets with 140, yards with 1,213 and touchdowns with 10. He is Drew Brees’ go-to target when the Saints are in need of a first down or whenever they have to move the ball down the field.

The last time these two teams met, Graham had a big day with eight receptions for 129 yards, but was held without a touchdown.

Key Matchup—Cam Newton vs. the Saints defense

The Saints defense needs to have a big game to give them momentum heading into the playoffs. If they can shutdown a quarterback that has the skill set like Newton, they will be able to contain any of the quarterbacks in the playoffs. 

Prediction

The Saints and Panthers did put together a thrilling contest the last time they tangled in Carolina. However, when the Saints play at home, they are almost impossible to beat. This Saints offense is playing at such a high level that it will be hard for the Panthers to stop them. 

Saints 38 - Panthers 28

Follow @tjmcaloon