The NFC South picture gets a little sharper in New Orleans this week, and it starts with a simple truth: the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints are tied at 3-5, but Carolina still sits in first place. That changes quickly if the Panthers lose. It also changes the conversation around a team that has dropped three straight and now has a division game that could either steady the season or send more questions swirling.
These teams meet in New Orleans for the first time this season, and there’s plenty of recent history behind the matchup. The Saints were a nuisance for Carolina last year, making the division chase much tougher than it needed to be. This time around, the stakes are just as clear: a Panthers win keeps them on top, while a loss knocks them out of first for the first time in a long time.
The experts are split, which says a lot about how little separates these teams right now. CBS Sports analyst John Breech is calling for Carolina to edge it, 23-20. Pete Prisco, who has only backed the Panthers once all season - in their ugly loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - is taking New Orleans, 24-21.
“This is an enormous game in the division, even though both teams have just three victories. The winner will be in first place.
The Saints beat the Browns last week, while the Panthers have lost three straight. The Saints make it four in a row as Tyler Shough has a big day,” he wrote.
Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer also likes the Saints, but by the slimmest of margins, 27-24. “New Orleans dug deep to outlast Cleveland last week and found some needed rushing juice with Audric Estime.
They also have the receivers around Tyler Shough to duel Bryce Young and his weapons well. Both defenses have been maligned, but toss a coin toward Brandon Staley,” he wrote.
Sports Illustrated’s Iain MacMillan doesn’t want to touch the side at all, instead pointing to the over because of what he sees as two shaky defenses.
Not everyone is fading Carolina, though. Jeremy Cluff of Arizona Republic sees the Panthers snapping their skid with a more comfortable 28-20 result.
“Bryce Young and the Panthers have lost three straight games, but are still right in the thick of the NFC South race. New Orleans is 1-4 at home.
Carolina ends its skid with a big win on the road,” he said.
The model picks are just as tight. Sports Betting Dime projects a 30-26 Panthers win, while Dimers has Carolina taking it 25-24.
That’s the story here: nobody sees much daylight between these teams. The margins are razor-thin, the predictions are all over the map, and the winner walks out of New Orleans in first place.
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