The Carolina Panthers (3-3) and New Orleans Saints (3-2) meet up in Week 7 NFL action on Sunday. Both teams are trying to stay near the top of the NFC South standings.
The battle is scheduled for a 1 pm ET start in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. New Orleans is a 7.5-point favorite in the divisional tilt, according to oddsmakers.
What to Know – Carolina Panthers
Carolina is two wins away from meeting its 2019 mark under first-year head coach Matt Rhule. The Panthers began the season with two straight losses but have gone 3-1 over their last four games.
Teddy Bridgewater has completed 146-of-206 passes for 1,676 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions as the Panthers’ new starting quarterback this season. Bridgewater is also third on the team with 121 yards rushing and one score.
Many expected the loss of Christian McCaffrey to cripple the Panthers offense, but veteran Mike Davis has stepped right in and not missed a beat. Davis has carried the ball 64 times for 272 yards and two touchdowns.
Robby Anderson (40 catches, 566 yards, one touchdown) and DJ Moore (27 catches, 474 yards, one touchdown) are the primary targets for Bridgewater. Davis is also one of the quarterback’s favorite options with 32 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns out of the backfield.
Defensively, the Carolina Panthers are surrendering 23.5 points and 340.5 yards of offense per game. The Panthers have forced nine takeaways so far this season, five forced fumbles, and four interceptions.
The Panthers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games against New Orleans, and the total has gone over in seven of the last seven games with these two teams facing off against each other in Lousiana.
What to Know – New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have won two in a row and sit a half-game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South standings. After their home game against the Panthers, the Saints will head on the road for two contests before returning to Louisiana.
Drew Brees has seen some regression this season at quarterback. The future Hall of Fame signal-caller is 125-for-176 for 1,331 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions. Brees is in his 19th season in the NFL.
Alvin Kamara continues to be an elite offensive player in this league, leading the Saints in both rushing and receiving. Kamara has carried the ball 61 times for 281 yards and four touchdowns while also hauling in 38 passes for 395 yards and three scores.
The Saints defense is allowing 30.0 points and 337.4 yards of total offense per game. The yards per game total is the eighth lowest in the league.
New Orleans is 2-4 against the spread over its last six games, and the total has also gone over in five of its last five games.
The Pick Is In
This is a big game for both teams as they jockey for position in the NFC South. Points will be scored in bunches, and we are confident that the Saints will prevail. The pick is the Saints to cover the spread in this one.
