New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

The 3-1 NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints will travel to take on the 1-3 Carolina Panthers on Sunday. While the Saints are well-established and have been playing great lately, the young Panthers are certainly up and coming.

New Orleans has earned wins over the Chicago Bears, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars over the past few weeks and have done it with an explosive passing game and a bend-but-don't-break defense.

While the Panthers are just 1-3, they have hung tough every week and lost by just seven to the Green Bay Packers in Week 2. Rookie quarterback Cam Newton has been incredible, but it remains to be seen if he has the supporting cast to make the Panthers true contenders any time soon.

Where: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

When: Sunday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. EDT

Watch: FOX; WVUE-TV (New Orleans) and FOX Charlotte (Carolina)

Spread: New Orleans Saints (-7)

Since a tough eight-point loss on opening night to the Green Bay Packers, the Saints have been very impressive with three consecutive wins. Drew Brees and the offense has been banging on all cylinders and the Saints have covered in each of their victories.

The Panthers have played well, even in defeat, and have three straight covers to their credit as well. With the Saints humming along, though, I expect them to humble the Panthers a bit and win by two scores.

Over/Under: 51

Saints Key Injuries

Out: OL Alex Barron (knee - IR), K Garrett Hartley (hip - IR), RB Chris Ivory (abdomen - PUP)

Questionable: C Olin Kreutz (knee), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee), TE David Thomas (concussion)

Panthers Key Injuries

Out: LB Thomas Davis (knee - out for season), LB Jon Beason (Achilles - out for season)

Questionable: TE Jeremy Shockey (concussion), DB Chris Gamble (concussion), DB Charles Godfrey (concussion)

Keys to Saints Win

As important as New Orleans' passing game is, the key to a Saints win will be how effective they are running the ball. The Saints aren't known for their ground game, but when they won the Super Bowl a few years ago, they had one of the league's better running attacks.

The Panthers are miserable against the run so this may be the week for rookie running back Mark Ingram to finally get his legs under him. With the Panthers presumably focusing on Brees and the passing game, Ingram will have an opportunity for a big day.

Keys to Panthers Win

While the Carolina defense will have to stiffen and hold the Saints to a manageable amount of points, the true key to the Panthers' success will be how well Newton plays. He has been incredible so far, and while it has only translated to one win, he has kept the Panthers in every game.

Newton's passing has been miles ahead of where it was expected to be at this point and he also poses a problem with his superb running ability. Newton will have to go blow for blow with Brees, and if he can, then the Panthers have a shot.

Prediction

Saints 38, Panthers 24