The Carolina Panthers are looking to end a three-game losing streak as they travel to the Crescent City to face the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome.
It is an important matchup for the Panthers as they continue to get key starters back from injury, including edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and left guard Damien Lewis. Head coach Dave Canales has been under fire for much of the week as the losses mount, but he could bring fans back in with a successful performance in New Orleans.
As we approach kickoff, let's make some bold predictions for Sunday's NFC South battle as the two teams vie for the top spot in the division.
3 bold predictions for Carolina Panthers against the New Orleans Saints
Chuba Hubbard breaks out for a career day
Around this time last year, the Panthers benched running back Chuba Hubbard for Rico Dowdle. The belief faded again among fans, but the veteran tailback has proven once again to be a reliable rusher and workhorse player for the offense under coordinator Brad Idzik.
This week, the Panthers face a Saints defense that has allowed the 29th most rushing yards per game this season (133.9). The offensive line has been getting some good play in the run game in recent weeks, while Hubbard creates chunk plays in space.
Hubbard finishes the day against the Saints with a jaw-dropping 161 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a terrific effort, easing the pressure on quarterback Bryce Young to carry the offense this week.
Zakee Wheatley and Lee Hunter play at least 50 percent of snaps
The Panthers' two standout defensive rookies played 35 percent and 17 percent of the total defensive snaps against the Denver Broncos last week after playing significantly more in the last several contests.
Some of this may have to do with interim defensive coordinator Todd Wash getting his players adjusted to the system, but interim defensive line coach AC Carter and secondary coach Renaldo Hill must do a better job rotating these talented players onto the field.
In an important NFC South matchup, Carolina gets its most impactful defenders on the field more consistently, playing close to 50 percent or more of the snaps. Zakee Wheatley creates a takeaway, while nose tackle Lee Hunter earns two tackles for loss and a sack.
Xavier Legette averages 21 yards per reception despite playing less than 30 percent of snaps
The Panthers activated the third-year wide receiver from injured reserve on Saturday as Legette plays in his first game since suffering a knee injury in Week 2.
Idzik discussed earlier in the week, though, that Legette would need to earn his playing time on the field with John Metchie III and Brycen Tremayne ahead of him. Despite playing very few snaps, Legette makes the most of it.
The former first-round pick uses his size and speed to gain some chunk yards with three catches on three targets for 63 yards, becoming a key player of the game despite playing fewer snaps than both Metchie and Tremayne combined.
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