The Carolina Panthers, two-time defending NFC South champions, have begun their quest for a three-peat with back-to-back wins on the back of their star quarterback, Cam Newton. Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, on the other hand, have been going in the complete opposite direction, with back-to-back losses to start the year.
Can the Superman-powered Panthers keep up their perfect start to their year against the seemingly fading force in the division? Read on for our preview of this key NFC South showdown.
The New Orleans Saints are off to another bad start to the season. After their 26-19 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 0-2 Saints currently find themselves dead last in the NFC South.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Their offense, in particular, has been a concern through the first two games. They’ve failed to hit 20 points in back-to-back games for the first time since the tail-end of the 2013 season. Quarterback Drew Brees, who has now thrown just four touchdowns against seven interceptions in his last four games dating back to last season, also injured his shoulder against the Bucs.
Despite saying postgame that his injury wasn’t serious, it’s being reported that Brees could yet miss time – starting with their trip to the Panthers – and his status will depend on how he responds to treatment within the week.
Obviously, the possibility of losing Brees will be huge for a Saints team that has still been unable to stop anyone, especially on the ground – they’ve given up 259 rushing yards through the first two games – and has also struggled to establish the run. After being a key part of the offense, the running game is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry so far.
If Brees does suit up and is close to full strength, the Saints could find success in the passing game against a shaky Panthers secondary that wasn’t really tested by Blake Bortles and Ryan Mallet in their first two games. But if backup Luke McCown does get the start in place of the ailing Brees, it’s going to be tough to see the Saints put points on the board against the Panthers.
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Betting on the Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton came to Carolina’s rescue once again. The quarterback known as Superman delivered another gutsy performance with 271 total yards (76 on the ground) and three touchdowns (two passing and one Superman-like rushing score) to lead the undefeated Panthers to a 24-17 win over the Houston Texans.
Newton is completing just over 50 percent of his passes, no thanks to an underwhelming receiving corps, but he’s made do with the likes of Philly Brown and Ted Ginn Jr., who each caught a touchdown pass against Houston. With running back Jonathan Stewart (3.4 rushing yards per game) also struggling to get going behind a subpar offensive line, Newton has basically been the entire Panthers offense this year.
Still, Newton took down a very good Texans defense almost single-handedly, and should have a much easier time facing a markedly weaker Saints defense.
The Panthers D, meanwhile, has been anything but weak. It has given up just 26 total points in two games, albeit those were against the Jaguars and the Mallett-led Texans. But even without star linebacker Luke Kuechly, the Panthers still stifled the Texans offense, limiting it to just 3.7 yards per play.
Kuechly’s possible return from his concussion should strengthen an already formidable Panthers defense which limited Drew Brees to a season-low QBR of 20.3 in Carolina’s 41-10 road win over New Orleans near the end of last season. That defense should have a similarly simple time stopping the Saints offense with either a hurting Brees or his backup McCown likely to make the start.
Carolina is 4-4 (3-5 against the spread) in eight games with Newton at quarterback against the Saints.
Writer’s Predictions
Newton provides the heroics once again as he leads the Panthers to a 27-17 win over the Saints.
