Following a disappointing 26-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week, the New Orleans Saints hope to rebound against the Carolina Panthers in week 13. Both teams are 8-3, but New Orleans currently holds the NFC South division lead for now. When these teams last met in week three, the Saints were 0-2 and desperate for a win. They left Carolina with a victory and did not lose another game until last week. New Orleans needs a similar boost this time around before they enter the final four-game stretch of the season.
Here are three keys to victory for the Saints in this critical divisional matchup.
Week 13 New Orleans Saints Keys to Victory
Pressure Cam Newton
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton threw three interceptions and posted a 43.7 passer rating in his previous matchup with the Saints. A big part of his lack of success in that game was a strong pass rush by New Orleans. They sacked Newton four times, and rarely let the mobile quarterback escape the pocket. Newton added just 16 rushing yards to his 167 yards passing.
The story has been similar for Newton in Carolina’s other two losses. In back-to-back losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears, Newton was pressured heavily and finished with passer ratings of 48.5, and 54.9, respectively. He threw a combined five interceptions while being sacked seven times in those games. Saints starting cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Ken Crawley are on track to return from injury this week, and that should help give their pass rush enough time to disrupt Newton.
Ball Control
One major factor in the Saints loss to the Rams last week was a poor offensive performance on third downs. New Orleans did not convert on a third down attempt until late in the second quarter and finished three of 13 on third downs. As a result, the Saints scored only 10 points in the first three quarters, and Los Angles possessed the ball for 11 minutes more than New Orleans. These struggles overshadowed one of the Saints best games defensively on third down, allowing the Rams to convert on just three of 14 third down attempts.
Carolina leads the NFL in time of possession, controlling the ball for an average of 33:32 this season. They are also converting on 44.6% of their third down attempts, which ranks fifth in the league. The Saints defense should play aggressively in an attempt to force turnovers, and steal a possession from Carolina. The Panthers have given the ball away nine times in their three losses, compared to only seven in their eight wins.
Unleash Alvin Kamara
Carolina’s defense has so far allowed the second-fewest yards, and the eighth-fewest touchdowns this season. The 34 points they surrendered to New Orleans in week three is their most all season, and they haven’t given up more than 30 points or 400 yards in a game since then. Luckily the Saints have one of the most dangerous weapons league-wide in running back Alvin Kamara.
Kamara has gained over 100 yards from scrimmage in each of his last four games. The surging Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate averages a stunning 7.1 yards per carry, and 10.0 yards per reception. Last week against Los Angeles, Kamara gained 188 yards from scrimmage on just 11 touches. One could argue that Kamara deserved more touches in that game as the Saints offense struggled to find momentum.
Kamara scored his first NFL touchdown against Carolina earlier this season, but he had yet to emerge as the dangerous dual-threat he’s become since then. Getting him heavily involved will take pressure off of quarterback Drew Brees, who’s had to carry New Orleans on his shoulders the last two weeks. Fellow running back Mark Ingram should be heavily involved in the Saints gameplan as well, but Kamara’s versatility may be the key to overcoming Carolina’s aggressive defense.
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