Overview
- Carolina enters at 5-4 after winning four of five and upsetting the Packers, while New Orleans arrives 1-8 for the divisional meeting.
- Rico Dowdle has fueled the surge with 173 rushing yards per start and a 130-yard, 2-TD outing vs. Green Bay, though he has been dealing with a quad issue that could affect his workload, according to Saints Wire.
- The Panthers have fielded seven different starting offensive-line combinations in nine games yet remain steady under coach Joe Gilbert, with guard depth tested by injuries to Robert Hunt and Brady Christensen and Chandler Zavala trending out.
- New Orleans still generates pressure with Carl Granderson and Chase Young combining for 7.5 sacks, interior push from Bryan Bresee and Nathan Shepherd, and Cam Jordan credited with 17 pressures, while slot corner Alontae Taylor is a blitz threat against Jalen Coker.
- A vulnerable Saints tackle duo factors heavily, as rookie Kelvin Banks has allowed roughly 30 pressures and right tackle Taliese Fuaga is out, presenting a chance for Carolina to boost a modest 14-sack total.