4 bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers at Saints in Week 18
By Dean Jones
Bold predictions for the Carolina Panthers as they look to finish their 2022 campaign on a high against the New Orleans Saints in Week 18.
The Carolina Panthers had a big opportunity last weekend. For a while, everything was going according to plan until a late collapse saw Steve Wilks’ men fall to defeat at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that extinguished their hopes of winning the NFC South.
This leaves Carolina facing a dead rubber at the New Orleans Saints in their regular-season finale. A drab end to what’s been a promising second half of 2022 with Wilks at the helm.
New Orleans was also eliminated from postseason contention despite beating the Philadelphia Eagles. Something that could leave this game with a preseason feel despite the fierce divisional rivalry coming into the equation.
Looking ahead to the clash, here are four bold predictions for the Panthers in Week 18 at The Caesars Superdome.
Bold Prediction No. 1
Carolina Panthers get a sack-free game from Ikem Ekwonu
This wouldn’t be a bold prediction midway through the campaign. But the drop in consistency from Ikem Ekwonu over the last few games is something to monitor going up against veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan.
Ekwonu’s rookie campaign has been encouraging overall. The Carolina Panthers made the correct choice at No. 6 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, but anyone expecting flawless blindside production given the strength of NFL opposition was unrealistic.
Should the North Carolina State product conclude the campaign with a sack-free outing at the New Orleans Saints, it would propel Ekwonu’s confidence before his well-deserved period of rest.