Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 8th 2024
Preview and Prediction
Improving their offensive strategies was a key focus for both the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers during the offseason. As they meet in the season opener on Sunday afternoon, both teams will have the opportunity to showcase their progress.
In January, Carolina brought in new coach Dave Canales with the goal of developing second-year quarterback Bryce Young. Canales previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, where he helped quarterback Baker Mayfield have his most successful season.
"Our goal is to establish a strong running game, but we also want to be able to push the ball down the field," Young stated. "Efficiency is key for us."
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Last season, Carolina struggled with a record of 2-15 as Young, the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, adjusted to the NFL. The team also faced challenges with their offensive line, allowing the second-most sacks (65) in the league and struggling to establish a strong ground game.
To alleviate some of the pressure on Young, the Panthers signed veteran guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis in free agency. Young expressed confidence in both his offensive line and the team's overall offensive strategy.
In addition to strengthening their offensive line, the Panthers also made moves to improve their receiving corps. They drafted Xavier Legette from South Carolina with their final first-round pick and traded for Diontae Johnson, who previously played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Saints have a more experienced quarterback in Derek Carr, who is entering his 11th NFL season and second with New Orleans. However, they also faced challenges with protection and establishing a running game last season.
Carr started all 17 games for the Saints last season, finishing with a record of 9-8 and throwing for 3,878 yards and 25 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. The team finished strong, winning four of their last five games.
This season, the Saints will have Klint Kubiak as their offensive coordinator. Kubiak previously served as the passing game coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2023 and has experience with the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings.
Kubiak played a role in incorporating star running back Christian McCaffrey into the 49ers' passing game last season, and the Saints are hoping to do the same with their versatile running back Alvin Kamara.
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"I believe that's why Klint is here, and that's what the rest of the team is here for," Kamara stated. "We're expecting an increase in production. When you look at what they've been able to produce, it's exciting. Hopefully, we can do the same here."
Like the Panthers, the Saints are also looking for improved performance from their offensive line, which will likely have three new starters this season.
On the injury front, defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, and linebackers Jaylan Ford and D'Marco Jackson did not practice for the Saints on Wednesday. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore was limited due to a hip injury.
For the Panthers, tight ends Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble were held out of practice due to calf and hamstring/back injuries, respectively. Running back Miles Sanders was limited with a finger injury.
Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints Recap SEP 8TH 2024
Derek Carr threw three touchdown passes, the New Orleans defense forced three turnovers and the host Saints routed the Carolina Panthers 47-10 on Sunday afternoon in the season opener for both teams.
Carr completed 19 of 23 passes for 200 yards while operating an offense implemented by former San Francisco passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak, who made his debut as an NFL offensive coordinator. The Saints clicked under Kubiak by becoming the first team since at least 2000 to score on its first nine possessions in a season opener.
Bryce Young, the 2023 No. 1 overall draft choice, completed 13 of 30 for 161 yards with two interceptions in former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Dave Canales' debut as head coach of the Panthers, who were an NFL-worst 2-15 last season.
Jordan Howden made the second interception of Young early in the third quarter and the Saints, who were 9-8 last season, drove to Alvin Kamara's 1-yard touchdown run and a 37-3 lead.
Young scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal to trim the lead to 37-10 at the end of the third quarter.
Blake Grupe kicked a 39-yard field goal and Jamaal Williams ran 14 yards for a touchdown that expanded the lead to 47-10 midway through the fourth quarter. New Orleans scored its most points in a season opener since their Super Bowl season of 2009.
On the first possession of the game Carr threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Rashid Shaheed.
On the Panthers' first offensive play Young was intercepted by Will Harris, giving New Orleans a first down at the Carolina 40-yard line. The Saints didn't get a first down and Grupe kicked a career-long 57-yard field to increase the lead to 10-0.
Carr's 3-yard touchdown pass to Foster Moreau pushed the lead to 17-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Grupe kicked a 44-yard field goal and after Tyrann Mathieu forced a fumble and recovered the ball at the Panthers' 40, Grupe added a 52-yarder for a 23-0 lead.
Shaheed's 43-yard punt return led to Carr's 16-yard touchdown pass to Juwan Johnson before Eddie Piniero kicked a 43-yard field goal for Carolina's first points, leaving New Orleans with a 30-3 halftime lead.