3 bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers vs. Saints

The Carolina Panthers’ defense will play better vs. Drew Brees.

Drew Brees lit up the Carolina Panthers back in Week 7, especially on third down. The future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback threw for 287 yards, two touchdowns, and completed an absurd 80.56 percent of his passes.

The Panthers ultimately kept the game close. But they can’t expect lightning to strike twice if they allow Brees to have another stellar performance.

The first factor to consider is that Brees hasn’t played well since returning from suffering multiple ribs fractures on both sides of his chest and a collapsed lung. In two games he’s thrown for 545 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions, and an average completion percentage of 57 percent as he works his way back up to speed ahead of the postseason.

The second factor is Carolina has been very tough on quarterbacks of late. Since getting humiliated at home against Drew Lock and the Denver Broncos in Week 14, Phil Snow’s unit has been stellar against MVP frontrunner Aaron Rodgers and 2019 first-round pick, Dwayne Haskins.

In the past two contests, the Panthers’ defense held Rodgers and Haskins to 297 yards combined, one touchdown, two interceptions, three turnovers, and an average completion percentage of 60 percent.

We knew the end was near for Brees, but Carolina’s defense slowing him down will be more evidence this latest injury may be the final nail in the coffin of his illustrious Saints career.