Know Your Foe: Saints vs. Panthers (Week 10)

The Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints meet in Week 10 with both teams listed at 3-5, setting up a divisional matchup in a tight NFC South where, according to Carolina’s team preview, every NFC South team has three wins.

Carolina is entering New Orleans after a 26-21 loss to the Denver Broncos, while the Saints are coming off a 23-22 overtime win against the Cleveland Browns, per the Panthers’ preview.

For New Orleans offense, the Saints preview highlights quarterback Tyler Shough’s second-half surge after slower stretches, noting a Week 9 rebound that followed back-to-back sub-200 passing-yard games. The preview also attributes the Saints’ receiving production to Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, and tight end Juwan Johnson, with Olave ranked seventh in the NFL in receiving yards per game (91.8) at the time of the preview.

Carolina’s preview says the Saints’ offense will be without starting center Erik McCoy for at least the near term after a Week 9 biceps injury. It also notes rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson returned in Week 9 after missing the first eight weeks with a hamstring, recording four catches for 30 yards in his season debut, according to the same preview.

On the ground, the Saints have struggled to establish a consistent rushing game, with Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve after a hamstring injury earlier in the season. The preview says the team has leaned on veteran Alvin Kamara, while also crediting Audric Estimé with a Week 9 impact after being claimed off waivers on November 3, including 15 rushes for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, New Orleans’ front is positioned as a core strength. The preview says the group has 23 sacks (11th in the league), led by Chase Young (8.0 sacks) and Carl Granderson (7.5 sacks). It also notes a personnel change during the week: the Saints traded defensive tackle Davon Godchaux to the Jaguars.

The matchup also carries a specific history component for Carolina, which the Panthers’ preview frames as a postseason and head-to-head backdrop. Carolina has not won in New Orleans since the final game of the 2022 season (Jan. 8, 2023), and the preview lists the Panthers’ all-time record against the Saints as 29-33.