The Saints lost in just about the most heartbreaking way possible. All they had to do was kick an extra point, and they would’ve beaten Denver. But the Broncos blocked the kick and ran it all the way back for a two-point conversion to win, 25-23.
Once again, though, the Saints had themselves to blame. They committed four turnovers, including two key fourth-quarter fumbles by rookie Michael Thomas, which resulted in Broncos scores.
But if the Saints can be able to reduce their miscues, they should be able to put a lot more points on the board, even against an improving Panthers defense. New Orleans, which is second in the league in points per game (30.2), has put up 79 points in its last two meetings with Carolina.
His two first-quarter picks against Denver aside, Brees has been absolutely locked in in recent weeks. He’s completed at least 72 percent of his passes in four straight games. He’s also thrown three or more TDs in four of his last five games; the lone team he didn’t do it against was the Seahawks.
The total went under in the Saints’ last two home games against the Broncos and Seahawks – the two best defenses in the NFL. Prior to those games, though, the total had gone over in their previous eight games at the Superdome.
The Panthers’ playoff chances are getting bleaker and bleaker. The defending NFC champs suffered yet another close loss as they fell 20-17 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Of their six losses this season, four have been by a field goal either as time expired or very close to it.
The Panthers only have themselves to blame against Kansas City, though. They couldn’t close out the deal as they allowed the Chiefs to score 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. That includes a costly turnover which set up the Chiefs’ game-winning field goal.
On the bright side for the Panthers, their resurgent defense did play well enough to win. After holding the Rams to 10 points (seven coming on a garbage-time touchdown), they held the Chiefs offense to just 256 total yards and no touchdowns.
Cam Newton also played reasonably well against Kansas City. He had 261 yards passing with a touchdown and a pick, and added 54 rushing yards with a rushing score.
Newton had one of his best games of the season against the Saints at the Superdome earlier this season. He had 322 yards and two touchdowns with a pick, while Jonathan Stewart had 85 rushing yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers battled to a 41-38 loss.
Writer’s Prediction
With the Panthers still a bit inconsistent on both sides of the ball, the Saints offense will be the most reliable unit on the field in this game. If New Orleans (+4) doesn’t win outright, it at least covers in Carolina.
