The fourth and final wildcard game on Sunday features a pair of NFC South teams. The Carolina Panthers are on the road at the New Orleans Saints. The Saints won the first two meetings between these two teams. The Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints both come into the game with 11-5 record. The Saints get the home field due to tiebreaker rules over the Panthers, and their head to head wins.
The Carolina Panthers fell in Week 17 to the Atlanta Falcons. On the season, the Panthers scored 363 points, and allowed teams to score 327. Carolina is 5-3 this season on the road. For the New Orleans Saints, they also lost in Week 17. The Saints fell to Tampa Bay. The Saints went 7-1 at home this season. The New Orleans Saints are -7 over the Carolina Panthers in postseason action on Sunday afternoon.
Payton has Saints Rolling
The New Orleans Saints are known for their great ability to run the football, but don’t forget Drew Brees can still game it done via the pass. The quarterback still had a solid season with more than 4,330 yards and 23 touchdowns. Michael Thomas was the lead receiver for the Saints with more than 100 receptions, 1,200 yards and 5 touchdowns.
The running game saw Alvin Kamara burst on the scene this season. Mark Ingram actually passed him this season with nearly 235 carries, 12 touchdowns, and more than 1,100 yards on the ground. The Saints averaged 129.4 yards per game on the ground, and threw for an additional 261 per game.
Panthers Seeking Upset
The Carolina Panthers are just two years removed from their loss in the Super Bowl. The Panthers struggled last season, and came back and played better this season. The Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has been up and down all season. The signal caller struggled in the loss to the Falcons in Week 17.
On the season, Newton tossed for 3,302 yards and 22 touchdowns. Devin Funchess finished with 840 yards and 8 touchdowns. Newton was also the top rusher for the Panthers with 754 yards on the ground. The Panthers actually finished 4th in the league in rushing yards with just over 130 yards per game.
Panthers Upset Saints in New Orleans
The Carolina Panthers are due to get back on track. Sure, they are on the road, but that defense is still pretty good. The Panthers defense is going to do whatever they can to keep Kamara and Ingram from rushing like crazy on them. The Carolina offense should be able to get Christian McCaffrey involved, and Cam Newton to take care of the football.
The New Orleans Saints were a great story this season, but they are going to come up short in this game. The road team wins the final wildcard game of the weekend, and will have a date in Minneapolis against the Vikings next week. When you are betting, take the Carolina Panthers +7 over the New Orleans Saints. Bet on the Carolina Panthers +7 over the New Orleans Saints in a NFC Wildcard game on Sunday night.
