Saints - Panthers Predictions | Week 14

Let the battle at the bottom of the NFC South commence as the New Orleans Saints scrap to keep their playoffs hopes alive.

Another season-defining matchup lies ahead as the New Orleans Saints host the second matchup of the year with the Carolina Panthers. Questions are swirling both organizations and while a win for the Saints may not have the same level of impact as a loss, warding off that negative impact feels imperative. The Saints are beat up, the Panthers are in shambles. This is sure to be a knock-down, drag-out kind of game between two teams ready to prove something.

Chris Olave runs with the ball against the Carolina Panthers defense. (This play was ruled out of bounds before the endzone) / Sep 18, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) crosses the goal line but was ruled to have stepped out of bounds earlier on the play in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle T. Mosley

If last week's game was pivotal, the Panthers contest is critical. New Orleans is in a must-win situation for the remainder of the season. Literally, it is lose or go home. Quarterback Derek Carr will get the start after again clearing concussion protocol. The Panthers are a terrible team - their record speaks for itself. - but so are the Saints. Unfortunately, we can dub this game "The Battle of the NFC South Basement Dwellers!"

Prediction: Saints 31, Panthers 17

Bob Rose

Carr is set to start, but a battered crew of pass catchers really does not threaten defenses outside of wide receiver Chris Olave and running back Alvin Kamara. Hopefully (?!) offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael will design pass plays for Kamara, but we have seen that script before. Expect a relatively conservative game plan that hopes to establish the run. 

Defensively, this team has been reeling for 6 or 7 weeks. No pass rush and a failure to stop the run again could at least allow Carolina to put together a couple drives. The Superdome crowd will be just looking for reasons to boo the roof off. This team will give it to them early and often. It is going to be hard not to appease the "fire Dennis Allen" mob after this. 

Prediction: Panthers 19, Saints 16

Saints X-Factors Against Panthers

John Hendrix

The Saints do not have a choice. They have to win this game, and even though it is a familiar opponent in the Panthers, they will certainly be tested. New Orleans is down to their final strike, and they are going to have to hit a grand slam with five games to go. Anything less will not result in what they want for this season. It will be a lighter crowd, but I expect New Orleans to win, although it will not be easy. It never is.

Prediction: Saints 24, Panthers 17

Ross Jackson

The Saints should have everything in front of them that they need this weekend for a win over the Panthers. Their starting quarterback is ready to go, the Panthers have been dismal all season with a 1-11 record, a fired head coach and a litany of drama. New Orleans has a chance to fight for its postseason life while Carolina’s dreary outlook should make them a beatable opponent. However, this is the NFL and any given Sunday, as they say. 

Carolina does not have a ton to play for, but they do not have anything to lose in favor of either. The Chicago Bears own their No. 1 overall projected pick so at best they would be jostling for as high a second-round selection as possible with a loss. With the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals two wins ahead, Carolina has some room to play spoiler to an NFC South opponent or two by year's end and prove to veterans and young players alike that the team is not giving up. Therefore making it a destination for returns.

While the Saints will not do anything drastic with a loss, nor should they, the critical response to dropping this game would be a loud one. The Panthers are interested in quieting the storm around Mint Street and hastening the one on Airline Drive. In a shocker, they do just that.

Prediction: Panthers 17, Saints 14