NFL Predictions: Week 6 Picks and Hot Takes From Around the NFL

Oct 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) waves to the crowd after the game against the San Diego Chargers at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) waves to the crowd after the game against the San Diego Chargers at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 16
Next
Oct 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive back B.W. Webb (28) returns an interception during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive back B.W. Webb (28) returns an interception during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, FOX

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Panthers, without Cam Newton, have been seemingly time-traveled back to their days of limited, ugly offense. Unfortunately, even with Newton potentially back under center for Sunday’s game, there’s little reason to believe Carolina will be able to stop the New Orleans offensive attack.

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after a play in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after a play in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

The Panthers defense has been embarrassing early this year, struggling mightily against both the pass and run. They don’t nearly resemble even a potential postseason team, hardly one which represented the NFC in the Super Bowl in 2015. It’s not just the absence of Newton here; panic time in Carolina is very valid.

Coming off of a bye week after a tight win against San Diego in week four, you have to like the Saints chances here. The offense has put up massive numbers in three of their four games this season, as Drew Brees has gotten off to a brilliant start with his array of weapons. The rushing game can and needs to improve, but – strangely enough – the Panthers present an opponent which gives the ground attack an opportunity to improve.

As long as Brees enters the game with a plan to sling it across the field, the New Orleans offense should have little issue winning one-on-one battles against the Panthers secondary.

Saints reel in another win, this time against struggling Carolina defense, 30-23.