Carolina Panthers: Three ways to beat the New Orleans Saints
By Luke Tucker
The Carolina Panthers (5-5) will look to bounce back this Sunday when they travel to face the New Orleans Saints (8-2).
On Sunday, the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints will meet in a crucial NFC South matchup. A win by the Panthers would give them a glimmer of hope in the divisional race, while a loss would virtually eliminate them from playoff contention. The Week 12 matchup pits a Carolina team coming off one of its most embarrassing losses under Ron Rivera with a Super Bowl-contending Saints team.
Last weekend, the Saints returned to their winning ways in another NFC South battle against the Buccaneers. New Orleans came out on top 34-17, as they took care of business in Tampa Bay. Drew Brees passed for three scores in the game, while Michael Thomas caught for 114 yards and a touchdown. A win for the Saints this weekend would essentially wrap up a third-straight division title.
The Panthers meanwhile, are coming off of one of the franchise’s most humiliating losses in its 25-year history. Carolina was throttled by the visiting Falcons 29-3 last Sunday, and has now lost seven of the last eight to Atlanta. Kyle Allen threw four more interceptions in the loss, bringing his season total to 14 turnovers in just eight games. On the bright side, Christian McCaffrey had his seventh game this season in which he recorded at least 150 yards from scrimmage. A loss on Sunday would crush Carolina’s already dim postseason hopes.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s matchup with New Orleans, the Panthers lead the all-time series 25-23, however, they’ve lost four of the last five meetings, including the playoffs. With that being said, here are three ways Carolina can get back in the win column this weekend.