The Carolina Panthers (5-4) enter Week 10 riding high after a hard-fought win over the Green Bay Packers (5-2-1) at Lambeau Field. On paper, a matchup against the New Orleans Saints (1-8) might not appear threatening, but in the NFL, anything can happen on any given Sunday.
What does this Sunday look like when these two teams take the turf at Bank of America Stadium?
Carolina Panthers Aim to Carry Their Momentum Forward
The storylines of this game tell two very different tales. Carolina is 3-1 at home, 1-0 within the division, and sits one game above .500 through the first nine weeks, currently second in the NFC South.
The Panthers’ defense has improved significantly, ranking No. 19 in PFSN’s Defense Impact metric.
Excluding Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars (200 yards allowed) and Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills (245 yards allowed), Carolina’s run defense has given up just 78.9 yards per game in the other seven contests.
Free-agent addition Tre’von Moehrig earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his standout performance in Week 9. Carolina’s secondary, led by Jaycee Horn and his 84.1 CBi score, has complemented the improved run defense by allowing only 205.8 passing yards per game.
Offensively, the Panthers have not shown the same turnaround, but the running game has come alive with Rico Dowdle in the backfield. Both the run and pass attacks will get a boost this week with the returns of starting center Cade Mays (ankle/knee) and right tackle Taylor Moton (knee).
Saints Struggling to Find Footing
The Saints’ start to the 2025 season reads more like a classic Southern Gothic novella. In contrast to Carolina being one game above .500, New Orleans has just one win. The Saints are 0-4 on the road and are looking upward at the rest of the NFC South from the bottom of the division standings.
The team started 26-year-old second-round pick rookie quarterback Tyler Shough last week against the Los Angeles Rams. The inexperienced QB wasn’t solely responsible for the Saints’ 34-10 loss, but he did little to inspire confidence.
To make the Saints’ climb steeper, the franchise traded wide receiver Rashid Shaheed ahead of the NFL trade deadline this past Tuesday. Shaheed was the team’s second-leading receiver in yards (499) and touchdowns (2) and the most prolific punt returner (12.9 yards per return).
New Orleans also traded starting left guard Trevor Penning to the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday and has ruled out starting right tackle Taliese Fuaga (ankle).
The defense has been competitive (No. 23 in PFSN DEFi) for the most part. The unit is solidly coached by new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley but has been hindered at times by game flow.
Despite giving up 129.4 rushing yards per game (tied for 24th), the Saints’ run defense boasts a -0.05 rushing EPA per play allowed. That figure is tied for 11th best, and the team tied with New Orleans in that regard? The Carolina Panthers.
How the Carolina Panthers Win in Week 10
The Panthers rank ninth in the NFL in time of possession, averaging 31:34 per game. The Saints are last, averaging just 26:37 of possession.
Carolina should aim to dictate the game by winning the time-of-possession battle and imposing its will through the run game. Head coach Dave Canales and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik could dial up explosive plays through play-action off the heavy run plan.
Keep an eye on wide receiver Jalen Coker.
The turnover battle will be paramount on both sides of the ball. Carolina should minimize giveaway opportunities by staying out of third-and-long situations and securing the football.
Defensively, the Panthers need to continue stopping the run. That will force Shough into obvious passing situations, which is not favorable for the inexperienced quarterback.
This could be a breakout spot for rookie OLB Nic Scourton. The young edge rusher is tied for third among rookies with 16 pressures, alongside two sacks.
Scourton will likely see most of his reps against the Saints’ backup right tackle, Asim Richards. In his only start this season (Week 2 vs. Seattle), Richards surrendered seven quarterback pressures.
How the Carolina Panthers Lose in Week 10
The biggest threat to the Panthers may be themselves. Carolina is in the driver’s seat for what feels like the first time this season. They cannot look ahead to next week’s road rematch against the Atlanta Falcons after a 30-0 Week 3 win, nor can they disregard the team across from them.
The turnover battle remains a potential catalyst for an upset. The Saints’ defense has forced 10 takeaways, tying them for 11th in the league this season.
Prediction for Panthers vs Saints
The Panthers are the better, more complete team. They have home-field advantage, and key players are returning from injury. Expect Carolina to handle its division foe.
Carolina Panthers win 27-9.