The lowly 4-7 Saints are hosting the last undefeated team in the NFL today, the 11-0 Panthers. On paper this will be ugly. But games aren’t played on paper and hopefully the saying of “any given Sunday” applies here. You’ll remember the Saints played very well in Carolina with Luke McCown at quarterback almost pulling off an upset earlier in the season. Unfortunately both teams have gone in separate directions since that game. Here are things I’m looking for:
1. Can the defense improve?
The second half of the Texans game was a slight improvement. We saw the Saints get stops and limit scoring. Hopefully they can build off that. I’ve been surprised teams haven’t run the ball over and over on the Saints as bad as they are against the run. The last two games, the Redskins and Texans really committed to it and the results were obvious. The Panthers are a run first team, so this could get really ugly unless the Saints can be bothered to tackle and be physical.
2. Can the offense reach 20 points?
The Panthers front is terrifying. Especially as bad as the offense has been lately, specifically the line. Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman are scary enough, but that defense just doesn’t give up a lot of points or yards. I see a game very similar to last Sunday. It’s going to be hard to break 20. But the Saints are going to have to do it to have any chance.
3. Can the Saints ruin another perfect season for a division rival?
In hindsight, beating the 5-0 Falcons at home turned out to be less impressive of a win than we thought it was at the time. Still, it marks the high point of the season. Beating the 11-0 Panthers, though, destined for the playoffs and maybe further, would be pretty special. In a season where the Saints could never put together consistent play, beating an 11-0 team at home would be fun.
4. Can the Saints inflict punishment on Cam Newton?
Most of us cannot stand Cam Newton. I would love nothing more than to see the Saints punish him physically any chance they get. I don’t even care about flags. We’re talking Super Bowl title era hits on Kurt Warner and Brett Favre in the playoffs. I want to see them bring the pain. I have the nightmare concern he’ll waltz into the end zone numerous times.
5. How does the crowd treat the Saints?
The Saints were 4-4 last time they were in the Dome. They went into overtime against the Titans in what was a pretty exciting game. While people weren’t flying high back then, the morale was much better. Since that loss to the Titans. The Saints have gone on the road and positively embarrassed themselves looking horrible in every department. Getting housed by the Redskins and Texans, they’re now 4-7. I think playing a divisional rival undefeated team will at least get the fans into it early, but I think if things go badly early they could really turn on the team quickly.
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