The Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints meet in week 14 NFL action from the Caesars Superdome on Sunday afternoon. It’s an NFC South showdown on Sunday in the Big Easy, who comes out on top here? Let’s take a look and give out a Panthers vs. Saints Prediction.
Carolina Panthers Team Preview
The Carolina Panthers come into this one looking to snap their losing streak after a 21-18 loss to Tampa Bay last time out dropped the Panthers to 1-11 on the year. Bryce Young has thrown for 2,055 yards, 9 touchdowns and 9 interceptions on 60.6% passing while Chuba Hubbard has a team-high 557 rushing yards with 4 TDs and Miles Sanders has 325 rushing yards. Adam Thielen leads Carolina in receiving with 753 yards and 77 receptions with 4 TDs while another pair of Panthers have 300+ receiving yards and four more Panthers have 100+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Frankie Luvu has a team-high 90 total tackles along with 3.5 sacks while Brian Burns has a team-high 6 sacks as well on the year.
Carolina Panthers Team Facts
- The Panthers have lost each of their last eight games against NFC opponents.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against NFC opponents.
- The Panthers have lost the first half in each of their last seven Sunday games.
- The Panthers have won the first quarter in three of their last four Week 14 games as underdogs against NFC South opponents.
- The Panthers have scored the first touchdown in seven of their last nine Week 14 games.
New Orleans Saints Team Preview
The New Orleans Saints come into this one looking to snap a three-game losing skid after falling to 5-7 on the year after a 33-28 loss to Detroit last time out. Derek Carr has thrown for 2,761 yards, 11 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on 66.2% passing while Alvin Kamara has a team-high 508 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns this season. Taysom Hill has 346 rushing yards with a 4 touchdowns while Chris Olave has a team-high 68 receptions for 890 yards and 3 touchdowns. Rashid Shaheed has 33 receptions for 534 yards and 3 touchdowns while Michael Thomas has 448 receiving yards and 39 receptions. Demario Davis has a team-high 83 total tackles along with 4 sacks while Carl Granderson has a team-high 5.5 sacks. Paulson Adebo also has a team-high 4 interceptions for New Orleans this season.
New Orleans Saints Team Facts
- The Saints have lost four of their last five games as favorites against NFC opponents.
- The Saints have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games as favorites against NFC opponents.
- The Saints have won the first half in each of their last five December games against NFC South opponents.
- The Saints have lost the first quarter in six of their last nine games as favorites following a loss.
- The Saints have scored the first touchdown in seven of their last nine home games against the Panthers.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Saints rank 32nd in the NFL in average yards per punt this season (43.2).
- The Saints rank 2nd in the NFL in interceptions this season (14).
- The Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in forced fumbles this season (2).
- The Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in fumbles recovered this season (2).
Panthers vs. Saints Prediction
I’m going to back the Panthers here. Carolina wasn’t terrible last week and was arguably the best they’ve looked in some time. The Saints have been a terrible team in terms of covering as favorites this season, and I don’t see it getting better in this spot. I think the Panthers are live here, so give me the Panthers and the points.