Saints vs. Panthers Preview: Why Tyler Shough’s Legs and a Committed Ground Game Are the Keys to Victory
The New Orleans Saints head into a crucial NFC South clash with the Carolina Panthers this weekend, and while the standings might not suggest it, this game carries serious weight. With rookie quarterback Tyler Shough at the helm, the Saints are still in the process of building an identity-but this matchup offers a clear blueprint for how they can come out on top: run the ball with purpose, let Shough’s mobility tilt the field, and take calculated shots against a beatable secondary.
Winning the Trenches: Lean Into the Run Game
Let’s start with the foundation-running the football. If the Saints want to control this game, it begins with winning at the line of scrimmage.
Carolina’s defensive front has taken strides this season. The return of Derrick Brown, a true disruptor inside, paired with new additions like Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III, has stiffened what was once a porous run defense.
This group is no longer an easy target-but they’re not exactly a brick wall either. The Panthers still sit in the middle of the pack in rushing yards allowed per game (17th), which opens the door for New Orleans to take control on the ground.
Last week, the Saints leaned heavily on the run and it paid off-139 rushing yards against Tampa Bay, with rookie Devin Neal and Shough doing most of the damage. Even without Alvin Kamara, the offensive line has shown it can create movement.
The key here will be attacking the edges and second level with misdirection, outside zone runs, and play-action. That means putting pressure on Carolina’s linebackers, especially Christian Rozeboom, to make plays in space.
And then there’s Derrick Brown. He’s the kind of player who can wreck a drive before it starts.
The Saints’ interior line-especially center Luke Fortner-has to be sharp in their double-teams and communication. If Brown is allowed to consistently penetrate, the Saints’ entire offensive rhythm could unravel.
The X-Factor: Tyler Shough’s Mobility
This is where things get interesting. Tyler Shough’s legs aren’t just a bonus-they’re a weapon.
Carolina’s pass rush has been underwhelming this season. While they’ve improved from their near-bottom finish in sacks last year (29th), they’re still not a group that lives in the backfield.
That gives Shough a chance to make things happen outside the pocket. He’s already shown he can extend plays-just look at last week’s 55 rushing yards-and that mobility can frustrate a defense that thrives on structure.
But it’s not just about scrambling for yards. Shough’s movement can buy time for his receivers, especially Chris Olave, to work open downfield.
In their first meeting, Shough threw for 282 yards and two scores, and Olave topped the 100-yard mark. That’s not a fluke-it’s a sign that even with stars like Jaycee Horn and Tre’von Moehrig in the secondary, there are winnable one-on-one matchups to be had.
The formula is simple: run the ball to pull the safeties down, use play-action to freeze the linebackers, and let Shough roll out and find his guys. If Olave and company can win on the outside, this offense suddenly becomes a lot more dangerous.
Watch the Landmines: Turnovers and Red Zone Execution
Of course, it’s not all green lights for New Orleans. There are a couple of traps they’ll need to avoid.
First, turnovers. The Panthers’ defense has a knack for forcing them-they rank top 10 in takeaways-and that’s a problem for a rookie quarterback still learning the speed and complexity of NFL defenses.
Moehrig, in particular, is active in coverage and can bait young QBs into mistakes. Shough has to protect the football, especially in tight windows, and avoid giving Carolina any short fields.
Second, the red zone. The Saints have struggled to finish drives all year-they’re near the bottom of the league in scoring-and Carolina’s defense tends to tighten up inside the 20.
If New Orleans settles for field goals instead of touchdowns, this game could stay closer than it needs to be. Execution in the red zone will be critical, whether that’s through creative play-calling or simply winning one-on-one matchups.
Bottom Line: Control the Clock, Control the Game
The Saints’ 3-10 record doesn’t tell the whole story. They’ve shown flashes-especially with Shough under center-and this divisional matchup offers a real chance to build momentum. But it’s going to take a physical, disciplined performance.
The path is clear: run the ball early and often, use Shough’s mobility to extend drives and create explosive plays, and avoid the kind of turnovers that can swing momentum in a rivalry game. If New Orleans can control the tempo and keep Carolina’s defense on the field, they’ll have every opportunity to grind out a hard-fought win at home.
This isn’t about flashy numbers-it’s about execution, toughness, and trusting a rookie quarterback to make the right plays when it matters most.