Predicting the Carolina Panthers 2021 season game by game

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints

• Week 2 (Sunday, September 19)
• 1 pm
• FOX

There is so much unknown about the New Orleans Saints heading into the 2021 season that it’s hard to predict just to expect. Legendary signal-caller Drew Brees has been a real thorn in the Carolina Panthers’ side over the years, so it will come as a relief to the team’s loyal fanbase that the quarterback finally decided to hang up his cleats this offseason.

A familiar face in the NFC South is set to take over under center. Jameis Winston’s erratic displays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019 were well documented and whether he has fixed some of this learning behind Brees last season remains to be seen.

The Saints were forced to go through some substantial cost-cutting measures due to the reduced salary cap, which only heightens concerns that they might not be the force of old. This would be great news for the Panthers in pursuit of making a little more noise in a critical second campaign under Rhule.

Prediction: Win

This is all going to come down to whether Carolina can stop Alvin Kamara. They should have more than enough to put some solid points on the board, so if they can keep one of the NFL’s best dual-threat backs quiet and place the game in Winston’s hands, they might just come away with another victory.