NFL Predictions: Week 6 Picks and Hot Takes From Around the NFL
By Joe Wedra
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.
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.