The first full day of NFL football in 2024 is finally here, and the Carolina Panthers take on the New Orleans Saints in Week 1 action.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game today.
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
- Start time: Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, 1 p.m. ET
- Channel: Fox
- Live stream options: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FOX NOW
- Radio Stations: 99.7 The Fox, WWL 870 AM & 105.3 FM
- Starting QBs: Bryce Young, Derek Carr
- Betting lines:
- Spread: NO -3.5
- Total: 40
- Moneyline: NO -185, CAR +154
The Panthers have hit a rut after losing franchise quarterback Cam Newton in 2019. Carolina has struggled mightily in the six years since with four different head coaches and three interim head coaches.
The latest, Dave Canales, takes over a roster in disarray and needs an overhaul to support second-year QB and 2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young after an awful rookie year. While both WRs Adam Thielen and Jonathan Mingo return, DJ Chark Jr., who was a bit underwhelming last season, signed with the Chargers in free agency.
The Panthers brought in former Steeler Diontae Johnson and drafted Xavier Legette in the first round to strengthen the WR core. They double-dipped on offensive draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting Jonathon Brooks in the second round. While he won’t start the season due to an ACL injury suffered last season, the Panthers are anxious to see how the rookie RB will affect both the rushing and passing attacks.
As for the Saints, HC Dennis Allen and QB Derek Carr might as well be playing for their jobs this season. After Week 18’s debacle surrounding Jameis Winston’s last-second touchdown against the Falcons, it was surprising to see New Orleans retain Allen, given the past few seasons’ results under his watch.
Since Sean Payton and Drew Brees left, the Saints have struggled to find an offensive identity. While the defense has maintained its shutdown reputation, the unit is aging, and players are signing elsewhere. Carr and the offense struggled quite a bit last season and will need to find some early success to put the Saints out in front.
If Carr struggles again, he could see a new face come for his starting spot. Rookie fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler looked solid under center during his preseason snaps, clearly outplaying Jake Haener. If he continues to progress in practice with the second and third teams, it’s not out of the question to think the rookie could end up starting if Carr struggles again.
Allen has to have a successful season in 2024. Despite a winning season in 2023, the Saints had multiple opportunities to seize the NFC South title and choked every time. While the Falcons got a massive boost bringing in Kirk Cousins, the Saints have to find a way to win the NFC South, starting with a victory in Week 1 over the Panthers.
2024 Preseason Stats Leaders
- QB:
- Panthers: Jack Plummer, 43 cmp/68 att, 406 yards, two TDs
- Saints: Jake Haener, 24 cmp/43 att, 270 yards
- RB:
- Panthers: Dillon Johnson, 20 carries, 89 yards, one TD
- Saints: Jordan Mims, 25 carries, 108 yards
- WR:
- Panthers: Jalen Coker, five rec/eight targets, 71 yards, one TD
- Saints: A.T. Perry, eight rec/14 targets, 176 yards