The New Orleans Saints hit the road for their second-straight NFC South battle as they take on the Carolina Panthers in Carolina on Sunday afternoon. The New Orleans Saints come into this matchup at 1-1 on the season following Sunday's fight-filled loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs. The Panthers have started the season 0-2 and head coach Matt Rhule knows that job security could be on the line if his team doesn't start putting together wins. The opening kick is set for 1:00pm EST.
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After defeating Tom Brady and the Bucs on four-straight opportunities in the regular season, the Saints fell flat on Sunday and dropped a 20-10 decision in an emotionally charged game in New Orleans. The Saints played the game without starting running back Alvin Kamara, who didn't dress due to a rib injury. Saints quarterback Jameis Winston went 25-of-40 on the day for 236 yards and a touchdown. He also threw three interceptions, all of which occurred in the fourth quarter. One of Winston's picks was returned for a touchdown that gave the Bucs an insurmountable 20-3 lead. Winston, suffering through a back injury, wasn't making excuses after the game:
“Everyone in that locker room is playing with a banged-up something,” Winston said. “What is most important is offensively I have to do a better job of executing on third downs and I can't give them the football.”
The Saints finished the game with 18 first downs and were 4-of-13 in third down conversions. They held the Bucs to just 13 first downs and a 5-of-17 third down conversion rate. Despite the Bucs injury-riddled offensive line, the Saints were only able to get to Brady for one sack while getting just three QB hits in the game. On the other side of the ball, the Saints offensive line allowed six sacks and nine quarterback hits in the game. New Orleans also turned the ball over four times while recovering one TB fumble. For the game, the Saints fumbled a total of four times, recovering their own fumble three times. Wide receiver Michael Thomas continued his stellar return from injury with six catches and a touchdown in a losing effort.
Toe-Drag Swag by @Cantguardmike ??
More photos from the home opener: https://t.co/9Jf8SseooY pic.twitter.com/ZRd7rASQlY
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 19, 2022
The Saints offense comes into week 3 ranked just 19th in the NFL in points per game. They are 4th in red zone scoring percentage, converting on 80% of their opportunities thus far. Despite Kamara's injury, the Saints are still 9th in rushing offense and the Saints' passing attack ranks just 18th in the league. Most notable is that the Saints are just 19th in yards per completion. On the defensive side of the ball, the Saints are 21st in points allowed, 23rd in rushing yards per game and 11th in passing yards allowed per game. One major area of concern is the Saints turnover margin per game with the team ranking 26th in the NFL in that category.
Key Injuries: The Saint had nine players on limited participation in practice on Thursday. The biggest concerns remain quarterback Jameis Winston with his back and running back Alvin Kamara with his rib injury. Given his limited status last week as well, it is likely that Winston will be a go t his week. As for Kamara, he was a game-time scratch last Sunday and it could come down to game time this week as well.