Carolina Panthers Week 15 prediction, what to watch and how
Carolina Panthers Week 15 preview and prediction vs. New Orleans Saints.
The Carolina Panthers (6-7) now own a losing record after starting the season 6-2 and with only three games remaining, somehow still have a viable opportunity at the playoffs. Unfortunately, two of their remaining three games come against NFC South divisional leader and rival, New Orleans (11-2), with Carolina needing to win at least one, maybe both.
If the Panthers are going to take one from the Saints then Monday night presents their best opportunity. Yes, New Orleans may elect to rest some of their key players when these two teams square off again in a couple weeks but Carolina has played much better at home – win here and the standings could dictate an essential play-in game at the Superdome.
Losing five straight, a win would calm the hot seat talk and a late season surge could save coach Ron Rivera. No one knows what owner David Tepper is thinking after watching his investment nose dive through the second half, but if Carolina doesn’t turn it around then expect a complete overhaul of the roster and coaching staff.
2018 SEASON: CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-7) vs. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-2)
KICKOFF: Monday, December 17 at 8:15 PM ET
TV: ESPN Broadcast Coverage Map
ONLINE: FuboTV Watch over 67 live sports and entertainment channels with a 7-day FREE trial!
LOCATION: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
WEATHER: 55 degrees, 72% humidity, 9mph NNW wind, 40% precipitation
LAST MEETING: 31-26, SAINTS – January 7, 2018 (Playoffs, Wild-card Round)
WHAT TO WATCH:
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Rivera assumed control of the defensive play calls at some point in the second half at Tampa Bay two weeks ago. His leadership wasn’t enough to keep the Cleveland Browns from notching a victory and expectations are quarterback Drew Brees is going to pick apart a questionable Panthers secondary.
Brees is enjoying a monster season with nearly 3,500 yards, 31 touchdowns and only four interceptions to date. His core receivers: Michael Thomas (WR), Benjamin Watson (TE) and running back Alvin Kamara all occupy positions that have abused the Carolina defense all season.
For the Panthers to salvage an opportunity, they need to generate pressure on Brees and hope that someone has learned how to cover tight ends in the past week. If not, Carolina may find themselves in an early hole and with the pressure of five straight losses mounting, it would seemingly be impossible to climb back.
An embarrassing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers began the current slide for Carolina on a Thursday night over a month ago. Another may set the franchise in a completely new direction.
PREDICTION: Carolina Panthers – 24, New Orleans Saints – 34