New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers: Full New Orleans Game Preview

The New Orleans Saints will once again attempt to crack the win column Sunday, as they hit the road for an afternoon divisional matchup with the Carolina Panthers.

New Orleans is off to an 0-2 start for the second consecutive season, and coach Sean Payton’s squad desperately needs to win if it’s to avoid falling into a deep hole to start the season.

Last week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers upset the Saints in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 26-19, in what was their sixth consecutive home loss.

A spirited Tampa Bay defense surprisingly held Payton’s once-feared offense in check, as the Buccaneers defensive front bullied the New Orleans offensive line for much of the game.

New Orleans won’t find the going any easier in Week 3. The Cam Newton-led Panthers are gunning for their third straight NFC South crown, and they’re off to a 2-0 start.

Newton turned in an impressive showing on the ground and through the air in Week 2 as Carolina took down the Houston Texans 24-17.

Continue reading for a preview of the latest chapter of this intense divisional rivalry. Kickoff is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET/noon CT.

Saints-Panthers Series History

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New Orleans began its series with Carolina in 1995, when the Panthers first joined the league as an expansion franchise.

The two clubs faced off twice per year in the NFC West from 1995 until 2002, when the NFL realigned its divisions. New Orleans and Carolina then joined Tampa Bay and Atlanta in the NFC South, and the Saints-Panthers rivalry has had its share of memorable battles.

At present, Carolina holds a 21-19 lead in the series, and the Panthers are shooting for their fifth win over the Saints in the last seven meetings.

Last season, the two clubs split victories for the second straight year. New Orleans shut down Newton and Co. on the road for a 28-10 victory in Week 9 on Thursday Night Football.

Just five weeks later, however, the Panthers flipped the script, and then some, blowing out New Orleans 41-10 in the Superdome and handing the Saints their fourth straight home loss.

Drew Brees Limited in Practice

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The injury status of star quarterback Drew Brees has been a hot topic of discussion around the league this week.

Brees, who injured his shoulder in the loss to Tampa Bay, was limited in Wednesday’s practice, per the team’s official site.  

His status for the Carolina game is still uncertain, but according to John DeShazier of NewOrleansSaints.com, Brees believes he will play. The Saints quarterback said the following after Wednesday's practice:

"

Each day you wake up, you see how you feel, what maybe more you can do compared to the day before. Obviously, you’re dealing with something where you’ve got to be smart because you don’t want to aggravate it, reinjure it, hurt it more, make it worse. So there’s a balance to what we’re doing here in regard to rehab and recovery and rest, versus trying to get back.

"

Since joining the team in 2006, Brees has been as durable as they come. The Saints rested him late in the 2009 season after they had already clinched a playoff spot, and since then, he’s started 80 consecutive games for New Orleans.

Luke McCown is New Orleans' No. 2 quarterback, and the 34-year-old has nine NFL starts to his credit. The last one came in 2011, when he suited up for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Other Injury News

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Brees’ injury may be grabbing most of the headlines, but the quarterback is hardly the only injured Saint heading into the Week 3 matchup with Carolina.

New Orleans released its first official injury report of the week Wednesday, and four starters missed the workout.

According to the team's website, safety Jairus Byrd (knee), cornerback Keenan Lewis (hip), wideout Brandin Cooks (ankle) and guard Jahri Evans (knee) did not practice Wednesday.

Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, like Brees, was limited in practice as he continues to recover from a toe injury suffered in the first preseason game back in August.

As for Carolina, the Panthers are banged up, as well, according to the team’s official injury report on Panthers.com.

One of the Panthers’ most noteworthy injuries is that of linebacker Luke Kuechly, who’s recovering from a concussion suffered in Week 1. He did not practice Wednesday.

Also missing practice were defensive end Charles Johnson (hamstring), running back Jonathan Stewart (knee) and guard Trai Turner (knee), among others.

Key Matchups and X-Factor

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Saints Front Seven vs. Cam Newton

Cam Newton wreaked havoc on the Texans in Week 2, racking up 271 offensive yards and three total touchdowns.

Under the fifth-year signal-caller’s direction, Carolina utilized a balanced offensive attack against Houston. Newton led his team in rushing with 76 yards and a touchdown, and he frustrated a talented Texans front seven with the zone read.

Saints outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha and defensive end Cam Jordan must be cautious and not overplay when Newton meshes with a running back in the backfield, showing zone-read action. 

New Orleans will also need a big effort from “Mike” linebacker Stephone Anthony. Newton won’t hesitate to smash his way right up the middle on draws, as well as on variations of the read-option dive. Anthony and the other New Orleans ‘backers must cut off Newton’s running lanes and minimize his production on the ground.

Saints Offensive Line vs. Panthers Defensive Line

New Orleans entered the season with high hopes for its offensive line, but the unit's performance thus far has been less than stellar. Outside of a spirited surge in the second half, the group struggled in last week’s loss to the Buccaneers.

Only when Tampa Bay opened up a commanding lead was New Orleans able to rev up a respectable downhill rushing attack. The Saints’ pass blocking, meanwhile, was abysmal throughout the contest.

Now, New Orleans faces a formidable Panthers defense that, through two games, ranks fifth in the league in yards allowed. If the Saints are to have a chance on Sunday, they’ll need to take control of the line of scrimmage on offense.

This will require winning individual battles on a consistent basis, which didn’t happen often enough against Tampa Bay.

The Panthers defensive line hasn’t exactly been dominant this season from a playmaking standpoint, but the group has held its ground on most occasions. With tackles Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short plugging the middle and ends Charles Johnson and Kony Ealy patrolling the edges, Carolina's speedy linebacking corps has been free to diagnose plays, fill gaps and rack up tackles.

The New Orleans offensive line was expected to be a major area of strength this season, and it's not unreasonable to expect this group to play better than it did last Sunday. If the Saints can open up some holes and have some success against the Carolina front four early on, they may have a legitimate shot at victory in this divisional matchup.

Saints X-Factor of the Week: Running Back Khiry Robinson

With Brees and top receiving target Brandin Cooks not at full strength, there’s a good chance the Saints will resort to more of a ground-oriented offense on Sunday.

While starting running back Mark Ingram will get his share of carries as New Orleans’ primary between-the-tackles runner, look for Khiry Robinson to receive a significant number of touches too.

Shiftier and more elusive than Ingram, the third-year running back and former undrafted free agent out of West Texas A&M is averaging 5.2 yards per carry this season. In addition to his 67 rushing yards, he’s hauled in six receptions for 60 yards.

Considering how effective he's been in the first two games, it won’t be a surprise if Robinson breaks loose and finds the end zone against the Panthers in Week 3.

Prediction

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Despite the fact that the season is only two games young, New Orleans has reached a critical juncture of its 2015 campaign.

The Saints' rebuilt defense is young and inexperienced at multiple positions, and Newton and a physical Panthers offensive line will put it to the test.

New Orleans’ chief area of concern, however, is the offense. Stagnant for long stretches of the first two contests, the Saints running game hasn’t lived up to preseason expectations.

Meanwhile, the passing attack has been surprisingly unproductive, as New Orleans has struggled to hit on the big plays it’s become known for throughout Sean Payton’s tenure.

With Brees’ status uncertain and his team facing a quality opponent on the road in a divisional rivalry game, it’s difficult to envision the Saints returning to New Orleans with a W.

Prediction: Panthers 27, Saints 19