Panthers vs. Saints: What Are Experts Saying About New Orleans?

The New Orleans Saints will host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, and numerous experts have weighed in this week on this NFC South matchup.

New Orleans (5-7) is coming off an impressive road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13. The Saints took full advantage of a five-touchdown performance from quarterback Drew Brees, while Mark Ingram rumbled for 122 yards in the upset victory.

With the win, New Orleans snapped a three-game losing streak in which all three defeats were suffered at home in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Such a slide is incredibly rare for the Saints, who were victorious in all eight of their home contests a year ago.

Sean Payton’s club returns to the Superdome this weekend against Carolina (3-8-1), and the Saints will be fighting to keep pace with the Atlanta Falcons atop the division.

Continue reading to find out what the experts are saying about this NFC South rivalry contest, which kicks off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET/noon CT.

Mike Triplett: Saints Must Keep Cam Newton in the Pocket

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In his weekly discussion with a reporter covering the opposing squad, ESPN.com Saints reporter Mike Triplett referenced New Orleans’ previous win over Carolina, which occurred on October 30.

As a passer, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton struggled throughout the 28-10 Saints victory, but he enjoyed some success when he opted to use his legs and run the football.

“So to me, the obvious key for New Orleans is to keep Newton in the pocket and make him throw,” Triplett told ESPN.com Panthers reporter David Newton.

Triplett is spot-on with his analysis, as the Saints' ability to contain the hulking Carolina signal-caller is probably their chief concern on the defensive side of the ball. Newton completed just 10 passes in 28 attempts in the previous meeting while ripping off several big runs and beating the New Orleans defense to the edge on multiple occasions.

After a slow start this season, pass-rushers Cam Jordan and Junior Galette have picked up their play in recent weeks, and the duo will need to step up again this weekend against the versatile Newton.

Jordan and Galette will be largely responsible for containing the Carolina quarterback on the outside. If they can keep him in the pocket on third downs, the Saints should have an easier time getting off the field, thus allowing Brees and the offense to go to work.

Larry Holder: Saints Have Performed Better on the Road This Season

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Earlier this week, NOLA.com Saints columnist Larry Holder pointed out the team’s struggles at home compared to its recent success on the road.

“The Saints currently possess a two-game winning spree on the road,” Holder wrote in his Wednesday article, “and are riding a three-game losing streak in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome as they prepare to host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.”

Outside of a lopsided win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, New Orleans hasn’t looked great at home even when tasting victory this season, and Payton’s club has been uncharacteristically bad in some of its losses.

Holder hit on this in his piece.

"Look at each game overall," he wrote. "And there's an argument to be made how the Saints have played better away from the Dome."

Interestingly enough, he has a point. 

The Saints barely squeaked by the cellar-dwelling Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Superdome, and they weren’t even competitive in a 27-10 home defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals. They were also sluggish at home against the 5-7 Minnesota Vikings, and they were in control for most of the game when they visited the Detroit Lions (8-4) before squandering a two-score lead in the final minutes.

Could it be that New Orleans is feeling the pressure to perform under the watchful eyes of its intimidating home crowd?

Possibly, but with a Week 16 home showdown with the Falcons still looming, Brees and Co. will be looking to rediscover their comfort zone in front of their rowdy fans this Sunday.

ESPN.com Panel: Last Game Could Have Been Turning Point for Saints

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The Saints moved up a couple of spots in ESPN.com’s power rankings, as the panel of more than 80 writers and television personalities ranked New Orleans at No. 19 in the league earlier this week.

In its commentary, the ESPN panel raises the possibility of last week’s big win at Pittsburgh serving as a turning point for the Saints' season.

New Orleans entered the 2014 season with Super Bowl aspirations, but Payton’s club has failed to live up to its lofty preseason billing.

The Saints do indeed have some glaring weaknesses, particularly in the defensive backfield, but performances such as last Sunday’s have a way of serving as a confidence booster for a talented club like New Orleans.

When taking a peek at the schedule, it stands to reason that Payton's squad could be on the verge of a strong run to end the year. After this week’s contest, the Saints close out their season with games against the Chicago Bears, Atlanta and Tampa Bay. All of these matchups should be winnable for New Orleans, which boasts the league’s No. 2-ranked offense.

If coordinator Rob Ryan can get the most out of his defense, while Brees and Co. continue to produce, it isn't far-fetched to foresee the Saints finishing the regular season as one of the league's hottest teams. 

Bleacher Report Experts: Saints Will Win

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Bleacher Report’s own panel of experts weighed in on this contest in their weekly picks article, and this collection of National Lead and Division Lead Writers are in unanimous agreement on how this one will play out.

All 16 Bleacher Report experts picked the Saints to get it done this weekend against Carolina, and a close look at the Panthers’ recent struggles makes it hard to disagree.

Coach Ron Rivera’s squad has dropped its last six contests. Outside of a close loss to the Falcons in Week 11, the club hasn’t been competitive in recent weeks.

After they were shut down by New Orleans in Week 9, the Panthers were embarrassed by the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, 45-21. Fresh off an open date, Newton and Co. were pounded again last week by the Vikings, 31-13.

Carolina has been abysmal offensively, and its once-proud defense has taken a huge step back this season. Facing the Saints in the Superdome isn’t likely to cure this team’s ailments, and with Brees and the New Orleans offense heating up, Sunday’s matchup could yield a seventh consecutive loss for the Panthers.

As for the Saints, they'll be keeping a close eye on the Falcons' Monday night matchup with the Green Bay Packers, as first place in the NFC South hangs in the balance.