Black and Blue Review
GameWeek TIMELINE
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It's Not 'Must-See TV,' But Thursday Night is for First Place
The Panthers and Saints will battle for the top of the disappointing NFC South on Thursday night. Read more
Monday's Practice Report and Notes
The Panthers only had a very light walkthrough Monday afternoon, but they had to submit an injury report ahead of Thursday's game. Read more
Quotes to Note: Rivera, Shula, McDermott
“I had no issues with the plays that were called. We can execute better. That’s probably the biggest thing, more than anything else.” - Ron Rivera Read moreINJURY REPORTS
MONDAY
PANTHERS
Did not participate: T Byron Bell (knee), CB Bene’ Benwikere (ankle), LB Chase Blackburn (knee), WR Philly Brown (concussion), S Thomas DeCoud (hamstring), G Amini Silatolu (calf), G Trai Turner (knee), RB Fozzy Whittaker (thigh)
Limited: T Nate Chandler (thigh), DT Kawann Short (ankle), RB DeAngelo Williams (ankle), LB Jason Williams (hip)
SAINTS
Did not participate: LB David Hawthorne (hand), RB Austin Johnson (knee), RB Khiry Robinson (forearm), RB Pierre Thomas (rib, shoulder)
Limited: C Jonathan Goodwin (knee, ankle), TE Jimmy Graham (shoulder), LB Kyle Knox (ankle)
PANTHERS POLLS
WHAT NEW ORLEANS IS SAYING
MONDAY
- Saints have a chance to gain control of NFC South, but must do it on the road — NOLA.com
- After win and quick rest, Saints hurry to work for showdown at Carolina — NOLA.com
- Brandin Cooks‘ breakout game ignites Saints — NOLA.com
- Saints’ injury report: Jonathan Goodwin improving, David Hawthorne injured — ESPN.com
- Now Saints need to prove they can win on road against Panthers — ESPN.com
- Saints’ performance should scare shaky NFC South — ESPN.com
- Sean Payton reviews the Packers game, facing the Panthers on Thursday night — NewOrleansSaints.com
NUMBERS AND NOTES
NFL RANKINGS
|
OFFENSE
|
PANTHERS
|
SAINTS
|
|---|---|---|
| Total yds per game | 332.5 (24th) | 445.3 (2nd) |
| Rushing yds per game | 92.9 (27th) | 133.0 (7th) |
| Passing yds per game | 239.6 (17th) | 312.3 (2nd) |
| Sacks Allowed | 18 (t19th) | 8 (t2nd) |
| Points per game | 20.9 (24th) | 28.4 (5th) |
|
DEFENSE
|
PANTHERS
|
SAINTS
|
|---|---|---|
| Total yds per game | 378.5 (21st) | 390.4 (28th) |
| Rushing yds per game | 135.3 (28th) | 101.1 (10th) |
| Passing yds per game | 243.3 (18th) | 289.3 (31st) |
| Sacks | 16 (t16th) | 13 (t21st) |
| Points per game | 26.0 (24th) | 26.9 (26th) |
Panthers (3-4-1) vs. Saints (3-4)
TV: NFL Network, Thursday (8:25 p.m. ET); Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
SERIES HISTORY:
- Series history: Panthers lead 20-18. Carolina has won three of the past four meetings, including a 17-13 win in Week 16 last season that featured a 24-tackle performance by LB Luke Kuechly.
PANTHERS:
- RB DeAngelo Williams has rushed for 979 yards and eight touchdowns in his last nine games against the Saints. His 210-yard performance on 12/30/12 set a team record for most rushing yards in a game.
- WR Kelvin Benjamin leads NFC rookies with 571 receiving yards. His five receiving touchdowns are tied for the most ever by a Panthers’ rookie (Keary Colbert, 2004).
- LB Luke Kuechly leads the NFL with 89 tackles.
- P Brad Nortman is second in the NFL with a 48.3 yards per punt average.
SAINTS:
- Head coach Sean Payton is 7-7 all-time against the Panthers. He’s 12-3 against the Falcons and 9-6 against the Bucs.
- QB Drew Brees is 22-10 in primetime games since joining the Saints in 2006. In his last five games against the Panthers, he has 1,098 yards, 13 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 129.8 QB rating.
- WR Brandin Cooks on Sunday became the first Saints rookie to score a rushing touchdown and receiving touchdown in the same game since 2006 (Reggie Bush). Cooks leads all NFL rookies with 40 receptions.
- WR Marques Colston has scored six touchdowns in his last five games against the Panthers, including three multi-score games.
- TE Jimmy Graham has scored a touchdown in his last five games against the Panthers.
