What keys will determine who comes out on top between the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints in Week 3 at Bank of America Stadium?
After another loss for the Carolina Panthers in wake of a close game, the team sits at 0-2. The 19-16 reverse at the New York Giants went all the way down to the wire and the franchise is in serious need of tallying a win in one of these one-score contests.
The Panthers improved their run defense in Week 2 by containing Saquon Barkley and preventing him from wrecking the game. However, Daniel Jones made plays when he needed to on third down, continuing the Giants’ drives time and time again.
Carolina’s defense has still failed to create a turnover in their first two games. A unit that was one of the league’s best last season is off to a slow start after losing to Jacoby Brissett and Jones, which has piled further pressure on an organization right on the brink.
The New Orleans Saints are 1-1 after losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was a very emotional loss where Marshon Lattimore was ejected after an altercation with Mike Evans, which resulted in a one-game suspension for the wide receiver.
The Saints are favored by three points as they visit Bank of America stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Carolina needs a win badly as the schedule doesn’t get any easier moving forward and it will get very loud in regards to Matt Rhule’s job security if the team continues to lose.
With all that said, here are three major keys that will determine whether the Panthers can pick up their first win of the 2022 season.