First Look: Saints vs. Panthers

The Saints take a familiar September road trip to Charlotte to take on the Panthers to help close out Week 2.

The Saints (1-0) travel to Charlotte to take on one of their NFC South rivals in the Panthers (0-1) as part of a Monday Night Football doubleheader. Carolina has won three of the past four games against New Orleans. Whoever wins in this one will control the all-time regular season series. Here's a few things to pay attention to leading up to this game, as well as some areas the Saints need to improve in from last week to get a win.

Saints Storylines to Watch vs. Panthers

WILL KENDRE MILLER PLAY?

This is carryover from last week, as Kendre Miller (hamstring) can hopefully make his rookie debut in Week 2. We'll get our first official look at the team on Thursday with their first injury report. The run game left a lot to the imagination last week, but in the same breath, the Titans front may be the toughest foe for the Saints this season. 

We'd expect a much better outing in the running game with Jamaal Williams, but some of that might hinge on if Miller is available. The Falcons had 130 yards on the ground in Week 1 with their duo of Bijan Robinson (10-56) and Tyler Allgeier (15-75-2TDs). New Orleans could use a little bit more Taysom Hill here to find success, but it remains to be seen.

PASS PROTECTION IMPROVEMENT

The pass protection is arguably the most important area for the Saints to improve in from last week. While Trevor Penning feels like someone that many have singled out, it's not just on him. New Orleans did a good job getting him some help late in the second quarter to the end of the game, but it still needs some attention. Derek Carr was under duress a lot more than he should have been, and the whole offensive line has got to give him the adequate time to cook.

MINOR TWEAKS TO TIGHTEN UP DEFENSE

There were a ton of good things the Saints defense put out on tape last week, and we talked about it plenty. New Orleans was fortunate twice against the Titans avoiding big plays with busted coverage, and the big Derrick Henry screen play can't happen this week. This pass rush can be something special, and it'll be interesting to see how they matchup against rookie Bryce Young. We saw what pressure did to Ryan Tannehill, but Young can obviously move a lot better when the pocket collapses. As long as New Orleans can continue getting home, good things will happen for the defense.

TURNING THE TIDE

The Saints haven't won a Week 2 game since 2018 when they beat the Browns 21-18 in a wild game. In fact, 2013 was the only other win in the past 10 seasons aside that year. Needless to say, it's been all over the place.

The Saints Blues In Week 2 

• 2022 - Bucs 20, Saints 10
• 2021 - Panthers 26, Saints 7
• 2020 - Raiders 34, Saints 24
• 2019 - Rams 27, Saints 9
• 2018 - Saints 21, Browns 18
• 2017 - Patriots 36, Saints 20
• 2016 - Giants 16, Saints 13
• 2015 - Bucs 26, Saints 19
• 2014 - Browns 26, Saints 24
• 2013 - Saints 16, Bucs 14

New Orleans has lost its past two road games against Carolina, and both have been pretty ugly. There's been plenty of commonalities, like the fact the Saints have had horrible starts in both of those games in 2021 and 2022, being outscored by a combined 30-0 by halftime. 

Last season saw them lose a fumble that resulted in a Panthers touchdown and a field goal blocked before halftime to prevent getting on the board. The amount of self-inflicted wounds in those two games can't happen in this one. They have to play disciplined, convert on third down and win the turnover battle, to say the least.