New Orleans Saints: Week 3 Panthers contest a must-win

After back-to-back losses, the New Orleans Saints need to get back on track and win against their division rival, the Carolina Panthers.

The 2017 season isn’t off to a great start for the New Orleans Saints. It’s tough after we’ve all had such high expectations for them. While they had some tough competition in the first two weeks, their Week 3 matchup is must-win against their division rival, the Carolina Panthers.

With a record of 1-1 against the Panthers last season, the Saints need to get it together and show they can be competitive this season. Looking back at their first meeting against the Panthers from 2016, the Saints were victorious. That’s a trend they’d like to maintain.

They first met in Week 6 in a game where the Saints earned a three-point win. Finishing with a score of 41-38, the Saints almost lost it but were able to overcome adversity. In the first two halves, the Saints put up 24 points to the Panthers’ 10. Then for the second half, the Panthers really stepped up their game and put up 28 points to the Saints’ 17.

A lot of their victory can be attributed to Will Lutz for making the field goal but also to the defense. They finished the game with an interception, recovered fumble and two sacks. It was a great game for the defense, but especially Vonn Bell. He needs to put together a repeat performance against the Panthers in week 3 to help ensure victory.

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Drew Brees and Brandin Cooks put up great numbers as well. Brees threw for four touchdowns to one interception while Cooks finished the game with a one touchdown and almost 200 yards receiving. Without Cooks, most of the catches will fall on Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn and Brandon Coleman. Thomas was able to snag a touchdown and almost 80 yards receiving.

Fast forward to the Week 13 meeting where the Saints lost, 23-20. The offense played great as the team put up 17 points in the final quarter and Brees threw two touchdowns to one interception. The defense didn’t put the pressure on Cam Newton and that was their fatal mistake.

Meeting the Panthers in 2017 is going to be another heated divisional match. Compared to last season, the Panthers have made tremendous strides. They drafted Christian McCaffrey, have a healthy Cam Newton and have Luke Kuechly back. Likewise, the Saints have added Adrian Peterson, an almost entirely new defense and rookies such as Marshon Lattimore to star for that defense.

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A win here would help keep the 7-9 season talk at bay and hopefully, give the team some of their confidence back. They really need something to keep them motivated after losses to the Vikings and the Patriots. While the Panthers are tough competition, the Saints victory last year should prove they know how to beat the Panthers and their defense can step up when necessary.