The New Orleans Saints’ hunt for the top seed in the NFC will continue into Week 17, when they take on the Carolina Panthers on the road. The Panthers, on the other hand, just want to finish the regular season with back-t0-back wins to have something to feel good about heading into the offseason. Check out our preview of this game below.
Alvin Kamara must still be smoking when he takes to the field this coming Sunday. Kamara was simply sensational in Week 16’s 52-33 home win over the Minnesota Vikings, wherein he rushed for 155 yards and six touchdowns (SIX!) on just 22 carries. The Saints have an incentive waiting for them by going all out in Week 17 despite a sure seat in the playoffs. A win could help them win the top seed in the NFC. Drew Brees was shaky against Minnesota, as he had 311 passing yards and two interceptions without a touchdown on 19-of-26 completions, but another week of practice and rest could have them back in form. Brees had 287 passing yards and two touchdowns without a thrown pick on 29-of-3 completions in a 27-24 home win over the Panthers in Week 7. Meanwhile, the Saints’ defense will look to suffocate Carolina’s attack.
The Saints, who are third in the league with just 310.3 total yards surrendered per contest, are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 road games.
The Panthers managed to put an end to a three-game losing skid by defeating the Washington Football Team, 20-13, on the road last Sunday, and in the process, played a role in Dwayne Haskins being unemployed, as of this writing. Carolina’s defense led the way for the Panthers in that game. The Panthers’ stop unit had two interceptions, sacked Haskins twice, and forced a pair of lost fumbles. Carolina defensive coordinator Phil Snow got a bit creative with his defensive packages against Washington, and he could be bolder on Sunday, considering that the Panthers are not playing for a playoff spot. As for the offense, the Panthers need to protect Teddy Bridgewater better after the quarterback got sacked four times for a loss of 30 yards in the Washington game. DJ Moore and Robby Anderson will look to help Bridgwater in the passing attack. Moore had 93 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting with the Saints this season, while Anderson had 74 receiving yards on six catches in that game.
The Panthers are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games against the Saints.
