Saints-Panthers Preview: Drew Brees Has To Perform, Matt Moore Doesn't

The New Orleans Saints travel to Carolina for an NFC South matchup with the Panthers Sunday afternoon, and while it looks like a walk-through on paper for the Saints, it’s anything but.

The Saints have struggled with sub-.500 teams this season, losing to the 3-4 Arizona Cardinals and the 2-5 Cleveland Browns. However, they beat the 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Saints are 5-3, just behind the Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons in the division, and have been inconsistent in recent weeks, trading wins and losses after starting the season with back-to-back wins.

Their last win over a team with a losing record was in Week 4 against the then 0-3 Panthers, 16-14, a game in which the Panthers gave the Saints quite a scare.

It took a late John Carney field goal to hold off the Panthers.

Drew Brees has been inconsistent as well, and the Panthers are quietly ranked fourth in total defense and passing defense, allowing 182.7 yards per game through the air.

Meanwhile, the Saints are third in total defense and the Panthers are abysmal on offense, ranking dead last in practically every major category, thus giving the Saints the overwhelming advantage.

The Panthers average just 12.1 points per game, and running back DeAngelo Williams is still a question mark with a sprained foot. But he only has 361 yards on the ground with one touchdown, so it's arguable he wouldn't be the difference-maker.

Key Players

New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees

Nine of his 11 interceptions have come in losses this season. The passing game must carry the load for a backfield that likely won’t have Reggie Bush or Pierre Thomas. The Saints managed just 30 rushing yards last week against the Steelers. Brees needs to light it up.

Carolina Panthers: The Defense

Matt Moore and the offense will not win any games. If the fourth-ranked pass defense can force the Saints to run the ball, all Moore has to do is not throw his customary three picks and this could be a close one at the end.

The Saints have not swept the season series from the Panthers since 2001. They'll try to change that at Bank of America Stadium in Carolina Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT.

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