Saints vs. Panthers: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

Both the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers are coming off of disappointing season openers and look to get back on track in Week 2 of the 2012-2013 NFL season.

The Saints got bombed by Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins in Week 1, 40-32. The Panthers curiously had trouble getting their offense going in their 16-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Here's a breakdown of the Week 2 matchup on Sunday.

Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

When: Sunday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. ET

Watch: Fox

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Spread: Saints -3 (via Bovada)

This is an interesting matchup.

The Panthers scored 27 points against the Saints in Week 5 last season when Cam Newton was just a rookie.

On the other hand, Carolina posted just 17 points in their Week 17 matchup last season and scored 10 points to open this season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

There's also the fact that the Saints' pass defense is just, well, awful. 

Over/Under: 51.5 (via Bovada)

These two teams combined for 57 points in Week 5 last season, and 62 points in Week 17. Something tells me you should take the "over" in this one.

Even with the Panthers' offensive struggles in Week 1, I just can't imagine the two squads scoring less than a combined 52 points in Week 2.

Key Injuries (via USA Today)

Saints: Turk McBride (questionable, ankle), Scott Shanle (questionable, knee), Johnny Patrick (questionable, knee), Jabari Greer (questionable, groin), Devery Henderson (doubtful, head)

Panthers: Greg Hardy (probable, shoulder), Steve Smith (probable, knee), Jeff Byers (probable, knee), Jonathan Stewart (probable, ankle)

Fantasy Big Plays

Saints: Drew Brees, QB

Who else?

Brees didn't have a spectacular game against the Washington Redskins in Week 1 (46 percent completion rate, 6.5 yards per attempt, two interceptions), but he still managed 339 passing yards and three touchdowns.

The Panthers gave up a league-high 8.4 yards per attempt last season while allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 64.9 percent of their passes.

Brees spread the ball around to seven different players in Week 1. I expect him to have a big game here.

Panthers: Steve Smith, WR

Newton has actually struggled, relatively speaking, against the Saints so far in his career, despite the Saints' mediocre pass defense.

In Week 5 last season, he went 16-of-31 for 224 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. In Week 17, he went 15-of-25 for 158 yards, one touchdown and one interception. 

So, while I still expect him to put up some numbers against New Orleans in Week 2, I actually think the more productive player relative to his position will be receiver Steve Smith.

Smith racked up a combined nine catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns in two games against the Saints last season (43 percent of Newton's passing total) and he's coming off a seven-catch, 106-yard performance against the Buccaneers. 

Key to Saints Win: Stop the Pass

The Saints were absolutely bombed by rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III in his first NFL game last week.

Despite the Saints' offense racking up 32 points, Griffin led the Redskins to 40 points, going 19-of-26 for 320 yards and two touchdowns.

Cornerbacks Patrick Robinson and Corey White, safeties Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins; I could go on and on about the problems in New Orleans' secondary.

Key to Panthers Win: Stop the Pass (A Daily Double)

Both the Saints and Panthers have questionable secondaries.

Not only that, they are going up against very dangerous quarterbacks.

The Panthers showed some strides against Josh Freeman and the Buccaneers in Week 1, limiting Freeman to 16-of-24 passing for 138 yards and a touchdown, but Tampa Bay also scored 16.0 points per game last season, so there's reason for caution.

This game will be a better indicator of whether Week 1's performance by the secondary was reality or mirage.

Prediction: Saints 33, Panthers 27

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