The NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints will clash with the second-place Carolina Panthers in Week 12. Week 12 is the first meeting between the divisional opponents this season.
While they are first and second in the NFC South, the Saints and Panthers are trending in two different directions. New Orleans is 7-1 in its last eight games, while the Panthers have lost three of their previous four matchups, and their playoff hopes are fading quickly.
Right now, the Panthers are just another stepping stone to the postseason for the Saints.
4. Drew Brees is determined
It's time for Brees to lock in. The veteran quarterback missed a significant chunk of time earlier this season. While he's still leading the league in completion percentage (75.4%), his game is shakier than in years past.
In five games, Brees has thrown eight touchdowns and three interceptions. When the Saints went to the NFC Championship last year, Brees' touchdown percentage was significantly higher, and his interception percentage was lower. While New Orleans will cruise into the postseason, Brees needs to get back to where he was last year.
At age 40, the future first-ballot Hall of Famer must recognize his Super Bowl window is closing. This Saints team is capable of winning it all. Brees can't miss this opportunity.
3. Alvin Kamara's time to shine
The Panthers have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. They're allowing 128.4 rushing yards per game, which ranks 27th in the league. The team has also given up a league-leading 18 rushing touchdowns and the second-most runs of 20 yards or more.
While Kamara is one of the premier running backs in the NFL, 2019 has been disappointing for the Pro Bowler. While he ran for 14 touchdowns last season, Kamara only has one rushing touchdown this year. He also has one receiving touchdown this year. The former third-round pick is also averaging the fewest yards per touch (5.5) of his career.
While the year may still be disappointing, Kamara can get things back on track against the Panthers. The Saints should feed Kamara against the struggling Panthers. It's the perfect opportunity to get the Pro Bowler his first 100-yard rushing game since Week 4 of 2018.
2. Michael Thomas' MVP run
At his current pace, Thomas will finish the 2019 season with 150 receptions. The single-season record of 143 receptions was set in 2002 by Marvin Harrison. Since then, only Antonio Brown and Julio Jones have crossed the 130-receptions barrier in a single season. Thomas led the NFL in receptions in 2018 with 125.
Counting players at all positions, the Saints have produced 264 receptions this season. That means Thomas is responsible for 35.6% of all catches for the Saints. New Orleans' wide receivers are responsible for 126 receptions. Thomas made 74.6% of those receptions.
Thomas has caught more passes this year than two teams' receiving corps. Wide receivers on the Baltimore Ravens (74) and Philadelphia Eagles (93), have caught fewer passes than Thomas. He's an unstoppable force who is also leading the league in receiving yards per game (114.1).
The Panthers have an average secondary, which ranks 14th in passing yards allowed this season. However, the team lacks a superstar shutdown corner. No one in Carolina's secondary is a match for Thomas.
1. Kyle Allen's fall from grace
Dating back to last season, Allen won his first five NFL starts. During that time, the former undrafted free agent didn't throw an interception. His success spawned conversations about the Panthers moving on from Cam Newton after the season. Things changed quickly over the past four weeks, though.
In Week 8, the Panthers collided with the then-undefeated San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco's defense demolished Allen, sacking him seven times and intercepting three passes. Allen posted a 28.9 passer rating in the 13-51 blowout defeat.
Allen's misfortune has grown since that first loss. In the previous four games, he has thrown nine interceptions and just three touchdowns. He's also completed fewer than 60% of his pass attempts. The Panthers are 1-3 during that stretch, with their most recent loss coming against the struggling Atlanta Falcons.
While New Orleans' defense isn't elite, it will still give Allen a lot of trouble. Safety Marcus Williams already has four interceptions this season, and Marshon Lattimore is always a threat. Pressure from Cameron Jordan could also force Allen into some ill-advised throws. Either way, the Saints will prey on the young quarterback's shaken confidence.
Follow Us
Subscribe