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Carolina Panthers Week 17 preview vs. New Orleans Saints

By Brandon Scott

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 24: D.J. Moore #12 of the Carolina Panthers scores on a 51 yard pass thrown by Kyle Allen #7 against Marcus Williams #43 of the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter in the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 24, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 24: D.J. Moore #12 of the Carolina Panthers scores on a 51 yard pass thrown by Kyle Allen #7 against Marcus Williams #43 of the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter in the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 24, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Carolina Panthers season finale preview vs. the New Orleans Saints.

Just a few weeks ago the Carolina Panthers had an opportunity to hand New Orleans a home loss inside the Superdome. While a victory wouldn’t have put Carolina in a much better position, given their most recent results, it quite possibly could have saved coach Ron Rivera from being fired.

The Week 12 loss was Carolina’s third in a row and instead of curbing the downfall after two, the Panthers have now lost a shocking seven consecutive ball games. Rivera has been fired but the direction at quarterback remains undecided as these two divisional rivals prepare to meet again.

New Orleans has already punched their playoff ticket and will finish with one of the top-three seeds regardless of this game’s outcome. However, while a three-seed or higher guarantees at least one home game, the Saints are undoubtedly playing to win and perhaps not have to leave Louisiana until Super Bowl Sunday.

2019 SEASON: CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-10) vs. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (12-3)

KICKOFF: Sunday, December 29 at 1:00 PM ET 

TV: FOX (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: 64 degrees, 85% humidity, 8 mph SW wind, 70% precipitation

LAST MEETING: 34-31, SAINTS – November 24, 2019 (WEEK 12)

WHAT TO WATCH:

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Other than Panthers coaches and fans getting another opportunity to evaluate quarterback Will Grier, there isn’t much to be excited about for this game. Running back Christian McCaffrey has an opportunity to make history but how long he, or any other starters remain active is expected to be closely managed.

Should New Orleans get an early lead, both teams may turn to their reserves in an effort to evaluate players who rarely see live snaps during regular season play. If Carolina keeps it close, then both coaches are likely to continue with their current starters until a final whistle.

For the Saints, their focus will immediately turn to the playoff seeding and next opponent while the Panthers start offseason tasks in order to field a more competitive team next season. Replacing Rivera, answering the quarterback question and reshaping the defense are all questions general manager Marty Hurney and owner David Tepper must answer moving forward.

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It’s roughly 259 days until Week 1 of the 2020 season, until then – sit back and enjoy this final Panthers game day of 2019.

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