Saints vs. Panthers: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

It is a cruel reality in the NFL that the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers both have the most wins in the NFC South with three, while the Cleveland Browns are in last place in the AFC North with four.

The Saints and Panthers likely won’t complain about the NFC South struggles since first place will be on the line during their Thursday night showdown.

Here is a look at all the pertinent information for the game. The point spread and over/under line are courtesy of Odds Shark, as of Monday afternoon, and the injury report is courtesy of CBS Sports, as of Monday afternoon.

Date	Time (ET)	TV	Point Spread	Over/Under
Thursday, Oct. 30	8:25 p.m.	NFL Network	Even	48

DATE	POS	PLAYER	INJURY	NFL STATUS
10/26/14	T	Byron Bell	ELBOW	PROBABLE
10/26/14	LB	Chase Blackburn	KNEE	OUT
10/26/14	WR	Philly Brown	CONCUSSION	OUT
10/26/14	T	Nate Chandler	THIGH	PROBABLE
10/26/14	LB	Thomas Davis	NOT INJURY RELATED	PROBABLE
10/26/14	S	Roman Harper	NOT INJURY RELATED	PROBABLE
10/26/14	RB	Chris Ogbonnaya	GROIN	QUESTIONABLE
10/26/14	RB	DeAngelo Williams	ANKLE	OUT
10/26/14	LB	Jason Williams	HIP	QUESTIONABLE
10/01/14	DL	Frank Alexander	Suspension	SUSPEND

DATE	POS	PLAYER	INJURY	NFL STATUS
10/26/14	NT	Brodrick Bunkley	CONCUSSION	QUESTIONABLE
10/26/14	TE	Jimmy Graham	SHOULDER	QUESTIONABLE
10/26/14	LB	Ramon Humber	ANKLE	QUESTIONABLE
10/26/14	LB	Kyle Knox	ANKLE	OUT
10/26/14	CB	Keenan Lewis	KNEE, SHOULDER	QUESTIONABLE
10/26/14	RB	Khiry Robinson	FOREARM	OUT
10/26/14	CB	Patrick Robinson	HAMSTRING	PROBABLE
10/26/14	RB	Pierre Thomas	RIB, SHOULDER	OUT

As mentioned, first place in the division will be at stake on Thursday, which means the crowd should be raucous for the Panthers under the lights.

That could be a problem for a New Orleans team that is much better at home than it is on the road.

Bill Haber/Associated Press

The Saints crushed the Green Bay Packers in the Superdome on Sunday night in what was their 14th consecutive night home win by an average of almost 20 points a game. It was also the 10th straight home win overall and the 20th with Sean Payton coaching.

By contrast, New Orleans is 0-4 on the road this season and has lost 10 of its past 12 away from home, including the playoffs.

Linebacker Curtis Lofton discussed that reality and the team’s potential reaction, via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com:

"

I think there is something that we have to prove. We have to prove we can win on the road. Everything everybody keeps saying, keeps bringing it up, until we prove that we can win on the road, then they’re right.

"

Nick Underhill of The Advocate thinks the Saints could break that trend in Carolina:

The Saints should be able to put up some points, regardless of where the game is played.

Drew Brees is still a superstar, Jimmy Graham appeared much healthier against the Packers and scored a touchdown, and Mark Ingram destroyed Green Bay for 172 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Saints are second in the NFL with 312.3 passing yards per game and seventh with 133 rushing yards per game.

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

That balanced attack will be key against a Panthers defense that was expected to be much better heading into the season than it actually has been on the field.

The Panthers are 28th in the NFL against the run at 135.3 yards allowed per game and 18th against the pass at 243.3 yards allowed per game. To be fair, the defense looked much better in the latest loss to the Seattle Seahawks in a 13-9 affair, but it gave up at least 37 points in four of the five games before that.

Assuming the Saints do score, the key matchup will be the Panthers offense against the Saints defense because Carolina will have to match Brees’ production.

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Carolina has not been able to run the ball all year (27th in the league at 92.9 yards per game), and much of that is because of injuries in the backfield. That may not be as concerning against the Saints as other teams, though, because the way to beat New Orleans is through the air against a secondary that ranks 31st in the league at 289.3 passing yards allowed per game.

Simply put, Cam Newton will need to make plays with his arm if the Panthers are going to seize first place in the division.

He will do just that against a vulnerable secondary. Sure, Brees and company will score, but the New Orleans defense is a completely different unit without the Superdome noise behind it, as a national audience will find out on Thursday night.

The Saints’ road woes will continue in this one, and Newton will throw for three touchdowns in front of the home crowd. 

Prediction: Panthers 31, Saints 24

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