New Orleans Saints schedule 2020: 3 Toughest, 3 easiest games
By Zach Wilson
Third Easiest Game: Week 7 vs. Carolina Panthers
Even though the Carolina Panthers aren’t necessarily the weakest team in the league or on the Saints’ schedule, the Saints just always seem to have their number. Out of the past seven matchups, spanning back through 2017, the Saints are 6-1 against the Panthers.
The Panthers enter the season with an underrated offense led by Teddy Bridgewater and Christian McCaffrey but should struggle defensively. After losing James Bradberry and Mario Addison in free agency — and not to mention one of the most dominant defensive players in the league, Luke Kuechly, due to retirement — the Panthers enter into the beginning of what looks like a rebuild.
The Saints come into this game off a bye week, and a home game before that, so they will not have traveled for about three weeks and should be well-rested. On top of that, the Panthers play the Chicago Bears the week before, a bruising, tough defense.
No matter how much more dominant one team is over the other, divisional games always bring out the best in teams. This is about as one-sided of a rivalry as it can get within the past few years but these two teams do not like each other, especially the fans.
The New Orleans Saints have the opportunity, and most likely will continue their dominance against the Panthers this year. Notably in this match, where they have the rest and home-field advantage. It will still be intense due to history but the Saints should be able to take care of business in this one.