Extremely early Carolina Panthers game-by-game 2022 record prediction

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints

The first divisional matchup for the Carolina Panthers comes in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. A team that has undergone some significant changes from head coach to playing personnel this offseason.

Considering how bleak things looked from a salary-cap standpoint, the Saints worked miracles and even managed to sign some top talent along the way. They did lose premium left tackle Terron Armstead, but this was a necessary sacrifice and the coaching staff will now be hoping first-round selection Trevor Penning puts it all together rapidly.

There is also a concern about Sean Payton no longer being around and just how well Jameis Winston is going to come back from a serious knee injury. Although the Panthers possess some grave concerns of their own, picking up a victory on home soil in the face of NFC South opposition will be a significant confidence boost for a young roster that needs to hit the ground running in no uncertain terms.

It will not be easy. But beating the Saints is not the formidable task it once was and it’s also something Carolina managed to accomplish early in 2021.

Week 3 Prediction: Win (2-1)

A lot has to go right for the Panthers in this one, but the added incentive should make all the difference. Or at least it should.