Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints: Full New Orleans Game Preview
The New Orleans Saints will look to snap a three-game losing skid Sunday, as they host the Carolina Panthers in an NFC South divisional matchup.
New Orleans (4-7) is coming off an abysmal offensive performance against the Houston Texans in Week 12. The Saints vaunted offense, which entered the game ranked second in the league, failed to reach the end zone for the first time since coach Sean Payton arrived in New Orleans in 2006.
The Texans’ 24-6 win brought the Saints’ disappointing 2015 season to a new low, but Payton’s club certainly won’t find the going any easier this week. The mighty Carolina Panthers invade the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and they’ll be gunning for their second victory over New Orleans this year.
At 11-0, coach Ron Rivera’s squad is the NFL’s only remaining unbeaten team, and the Panthers pose formidable challenges to the Saints on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Cam Newton is a legitimate contender for the league MVP award, and he’s backed by a ferocious defensive unit that ranks near the top of most categories.
The Saints will need an enormous effort in order to have a chance in this one, but the fact they’re playing at home could count for something.
Read on for a preview of this Week 13 matchup, which kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET/3:25 p.m. CT on Fox.
Week 12 Recap
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Fresh off a bye week, New Orleans traveled to Houston last Sunday with hopes of showcasing some improvements.
The Saints’ performance left much to be desired, however, as Houston controlled the game from start to finish and dispatched the visitors, 24-6.
After New Orleans’ first drive ended quickly with a punt, the Texans marched 70 yards in 11 plays to take a 7-0 lead. The Saints went three-and-out on their next possession, and Houston promptly extended its lead to 14 points with another scoring drive.
New Orleans’ defense, playing its first game without former coordinator Rob Ryan, dug in and put the clamps on Houston for the remainder of the first half.
Meanwhile, the Saints offense trimmed the lead to eight points with two Kai Forbath field goals, one of which was a 57-yarder, but quarterback Drew Brees and Co. were unable to reach the end zone.
The second half saw very little adjustments from the New Orleans side, as Houston came out and drove 80 yards for a touchdown on its first possession of the third quarter.
As it turned out, that would be more than enough for the home-standing Texans, as the Saints offense sputtered for the rest of the contest. New Orleans’ final four drives ended with two punts (both following three-and-outs), an interception and a turnover on downs.
The Saints’ lack of offensive output was startling, as Brees was unable to kick-start the normally productive New Orleans offense. He wasn’t helped by his offensive line, which allowed Texans end J.J. Watt to torment the Saints’ signal-caller for much of the game. Watt, who was matched up with right tackle Zach Strief on a majority of snaps, finished with two sacks, and he delivered a whopping seven hits on Brees.
Defensively, New Orleans managed to make some plays under new coordinator Dennis Allen, but Houston's three impressive scoring drives would be all the Texans needed to claim a decisive victory.
Saints-Panthers Series
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The Atlanta Falcons may be the Saints’ chief NFC South rival, but there’s no denying New Orleans and Carolina have become bitter rivals within the division over the past 20 years.
These two clubs have faced off 41 times since Carolina’s inaugural season in 1995, with several meetings holding playoff implications. The Panthers have won three of the last four and five of the last seven, and they hold a 22-19 series lead.
In the teams’ first meeting in 1995, Carolina scored a 20-3 win over New Orleans at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. The Jim Mora-led Saints avenged that loss with a 34-26 victory at the Superdome later on that same season.
Sunday’s clash will be the second meeting of the 2015 season between New Orleans and Carolina. The Panthers claimed a 27-22 win back in Week 3, as backup quarterback Luke McCown filled in for the injured Brees. McCown delivered an impressive performance, although his late-game interception to Josh Norman proved costly to the Saints.
Carolina holds a 10-9 series lead in games played at the Superdome, which is the site of Sunday’s contest.
Injury Report
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The Saints released their first injury report of the week Wednesday on the team’s official site, NewOrleansSaints.com. Seven Saints missed Wednesday’s workout, including the following starters:
Terron Armstead
Left tackle Terron Armstead was held out with the knee injury that’s bothered him throughout the past several weeks. He’s been held out of numerous practices recently, but given the fact he’s still getting the nod each Sunday, there’s no reason at the moment to think he won’t be available against Carolina.
Dannell Ellerbe
Starting linebacker Dannell Ellerbe hasn’t played since the Saints’ Week 7 win over the Indianapolis Colts. New Orleans could certainly use the speedy linebacker’s services against Cam Newton, but with his lingering hip injury still apparently not healed, there’s a good chance he could be held out of action again this Sunday.
John Jenkins
A starter at defensive tackle, John Jenkins suffered a concussion against the Texans last week. The 360-pounder gives New Orleans a big body to clog the middle, and if he’s not cleared to play this weekend, look for rookie Tyeler Davison to see a big increase in snaps.
Willie Snead
Wideout Willie Snead pulled down four receptions for 50 yards against Houston, but he suffered a calf injury in the process. Snead was bothered by a knee injury last week, but he was still able to give it a go against the Texans.
Given his prominent role in the offense, the Saints are obviously hoping the second-year man out of Ball State can fight through this injury as well and take the field on Sunday.
Jahri Evans
Starting right guard Jahri Evans also missed Wednesday’s workout, and he was listed on the report with an ankle injury. The Saints could certainly use him against a formidable Panthers defensive front, and his status will be worth monitoring in the next couple of days.
Other Injuries
Reserve safety Jamarca Sanford was also held out of Wednesday’s workout with a hip injury, while linebacker David Hawthorne (thigh) and cornerback Damian Swann (concussion) took part in the practice but were limited.
Meanwhile, veteran wideout Marques Colston was allowed to sit out Wednesday’s workout, and his absence was unrelated to an injury.
Key Matchups to Watch
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New Orleans Front Seven vs. Cam Newton
There’s no question the Saints will have their hands full with Newton, who presents unique challenges to a defense with his abilities as both a passer and a runner.
So far this season, the Panthers quarterback has thrown for 2,466 yards and 20 touchdowns, and he’s rushed for another 427 yards and seven scores.
While Saints “Mike” linebacker Stephone Anthony will be focused on the unenviable task of slowing down Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart, Newton will also command the attention of the talented rookie 'backer.
Newton is known for his ability to beat defenses to the corner off the zone read, but he isn’t averse to running it right up the gut, either, particularly when Carolina runs its patented inverted veer play.
Of course, Anthony will hardly be the only Saint tasked with corralling the Panthers signal-caller. New Orleans will need a concerted effort from its entire front seven. Defensive end Cam Jordan, tackle Kevin Williams and outside ‘backer Hau’oli Kikaha will all be counted on to deliver solid performances.
First and foremost, the Saints must be able to generate a consistent pass rush. In the event they’re able to get through and pressure Newton, New Orleans will need to be relentless in its pursuit of the hulking quarterback. When his protection breaks down, the 6’5”, 245-pounder is capable of fighting off would-be tacklers and making big plays down the field with his arm as well as with his legs.
Newton poses multiple challenges for the Saints' front seven, but if it's able to apply steady pressure and keep him contained in the pocket, it may be able to limit his production.
Saints Offensive Line vs. Panthers Pass-Rushers
The Carolina defense ranks second in the league against the run and fifth against the pass. It’s therefore easy to assume Brees and the New Orleans offense will face strong opposition no matter what play Payton calls from the sidelines.
Considering Newton and the Panthers offense's efficiency, the Saints’ best course of action would be to possess the football and engineer some clock-eating drives that end in touchdowns.
They’ll need to establish some semblance of a running game with Mark Ingram, but given the Carolina defensive front's prowess, that will be much easier said than done.
In order to keep the chains moving, New Orleans will have to rejuvenate its passing game, which has struggled as of late.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for the Saints in recent weeks has been the play of their offensive line, particularly with regard to pass protection. Not only did J.J. Watt have a field day last week, but the New Orleans line also surrendered a combined six sacks and 13 hits on Brees in the two games before that.
If the Saints are to have a chance on Sunday, they’ll have to keep Brees standing upright. Carolina has the league's third-most sacks with 33, and that number is spread among 15 different defenders. Defensive tackle Kawann Short leads the way with six, but the pressure can come from any direction when facing the Panthers.
As alluded to earlier, Zach Strief was a liability at right tackle against Houston. Come Sunday, he’ll have to tighten up and get it done against five-sack man Kony Ealy as well as against Charles Johnson, who returned to action last week after suffering a hamstring injury in September.
Prediction
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Having lost three straight, the Saints come into this one in desperate need of a win.
Unfortunately for Payton's squad, it'll be facing perhaps the NFL's best team on Sunday. The Panthers are clicking on all cylinders on both sides of the ball, and it will take the Saints providing a nearly flawless performance to even have a chance.
The New Orleans defense is ranked No. 31 in the league, and its once-proud offense has regressed over the past two weeks.
Sure, Brees and the Saints could rediscover their offensive rhythm and put together some scoring drives, and they may even be able to hammer out some yards on the ground.
New Orleans lacks the personnel on defense to make consistent stops against the Carolina, however, and chances are slim the undefeated Panthers will come out flat and unmotivated.
The Saints won't be kept out of the end zone again, but they won't keep it close, either.
Panthers 31, Saints 14
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