On Sunday afternoon the Carolina Panthers will play in their second divisional matchup of the season, facing the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The teams are tied 25-25 in the all-time series, however, the Saints have won five of the last six games. Carolina enters Week 7 with a 3-3 record on the season after losing to the Bears in Week 6. The Saints were on a bye last week and come into this matchup with a 3-2 record. New Orleans is highly favored to win and the Panthers will have to play with consistent precision for all four quarters.
Carolina Panthers
Offense
This is a big game for Panthers’ quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, as he faces his former team for the first time since joining the Panthers. In the first six weeks of this season, Bridgewater has recorded 1,676 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions. He is seeking his third straight game on the road with a 100-plus rating.
Running back Mike Davis has softened the blow of Christian McCaffrey, who was placed on the injured reserve list. Davis put 52 rushing yards and his second rushing touchdown of the season on the books last week. Davis hopes to achieve his third game in a row on the road with at least one receiving touchdown and his fifth game overall with a touchdown.
Robby Anderson caught four passes for 77 yards in Week 6 and has at least 100 or more receiving yards in the two of three road games this season. Anderson leads the Panthers with 40 receptions for 566 yards with an average of 94.3 yards per game.
D.J. Moore led the team last week against Chicago with five receptions for 93 yards and is aiming for his third game straight with 90 or more receiving yards.
Defense
Shaq Thompson is hoping to record his third consecutive game away from home with ten or more tackles. In Thompson’s last three of four games versus New Orleans, he has recorded seven or more tackles in each game.
Brian Burns, has 14 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions this season is going for his third game against the Saints with at least one sack. In Burns’ five career road games versus a divisional opponent, he has recorded three sacks and forced fumble.
Derrick Brown leads all rookies in the league with six tackles for loss so far this season. Fellow first-year player Jeremy Chinn has the rookie lead with 48 tackles. Chinn recorded his first career interception and career-high two pass deflections last week.
New Orleans Saints
Offense
Drew Brees put up 325 yards and two touchdowns (one passing and one rushing) in the Week 5 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. In the last home meeting between the teams, he threw for 311 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, and is aiming for his third consecutive game against Carolina with three or more touchdowns.
Alvin Kamara recorded eight receptions for 119 total scrimmage yards in Week 5, and the last time the two teams met he accounted for two rushing touchdowns. Kamara will be seeking his third game in a row at home versus Carolina and his fifth game in a row overall with 100 or more scrimmage yards. He currently ranks second in the NFL with 676 scrimmage yards and is tied for first in touchdowns.
Brees will have to look elsewhere for help through the air, as star wideout Michael Thomas (hamstring, ankle) and fellow receiver Emmanuel Sanders (reserve/Covid list) have both been ruled out of the affair.
Defense
Defensive end Cameron Jordan recorded his season-high 10 tackles in Week 5 against the Chargers, which was his second career game with ten or more. Jordan has nine tackles for loss in his last 10 games against Carolina and in the last meeting also recorded a sack.
Trey Hendrickson leads the team with four-and-a-half sacks on the season. He recorded one-and-a-half in Week 5 and has put a sack on the books in four of five games this season.
Demario Davis recorded his season-high ten tackles against the Chargers and tallied 11 tackles and a sack in the last meeting with Carolina. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins recorded an interception in that same meeting and is going for his third game in a row against Carolina with at least one interception.
Game Info
Date: October 25, 2020
Time: 1:00 P.M. est
Location: New Orleans, LA
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
TV: FOX
Betting Odds Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Point Spread: CAR +6.5 (-110) | NO -6.5 (-110)
Moneyline: CAR +235 | NO -310
Over/Under: O 50 (-110) | U 50 (-110)
This is going to be a tough go for the Panthers, coming off of the loss at home last week and the battered defensive line. Bridgewater, Anderson, and Davis have the potential to get past the Saints defensive line and put the points on the board, but the Panthers’ defense is going to be hard-pressed to stop Brees and Kamara. The over is where to put your money on this game since the Saints have put up at least 30 points in all but one game this season.
Prediction
Both teams will come into this game with the determination and motivation to secure the victory, but it will come down to the team with the most grit on the field. Each offensive line has the potential and talent to put touchdowns on the board. The Saints have the advantage on the defensive side, and it will also be difficult for the Panthers to stop the Saints from getting to the end zone.
*Final Score: Carolina Panthers, 24 – New Orleans Saints, 38*
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