{"id":146819,"date":"2023-09-17T08:25:21","date_gmt":"2023-09-17T12:25:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=146819"},"modified":"2023-09-17T08:05:18","modified_gmt":"2023-09-17T12:05:18","slug":"saints-week-2-carolina-panhters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/09\/17\/saints-week-2-carolina-panhters\/","title":{"rendered":"Saints Look to Buck Historical Trend in Week 2 Against Panthers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Week 2 has not been kind to the Saints over the past decade, but they’re hoping that can change against the Carolina Panthers. Since 2013, they are just 2-8 in Week 2 games and haven\u2019t won one since 2018. Results over the past four years have been especially puzzling, as the Saints have failed to carry any momentum forward from Week 1 wins in each of these seasons.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The Saints will now head on a familiar Week 2 road trip against the Carolina Panthers. The teams\u2019 last Week 2 meeting in 2021 ended in a blowout Panthers victory. In similar circumstances, the 2023 Saints are coming off a promising opening game win and looking to continue building early season momentum. Looking ahead to Monday\u2019s primetime showdown, here are the biggest keys for the Saints to overcome their week two woes and get off to a rare 2-0 start.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Three Keys for the Saints to Overcome their Week 2 Woes and Beat the Panthers<\/h2>\n

Offensive Line Improvement<\/b><\/h3>\n

Week 1 certainly gave the Saints reasons for optimism offensively. The performance of the offensive line was not one of them. With the exception of Ryan Ramczyk at right tackle, it was a poor showing across the board for the remaining four. Against a tough Titans front, the Saints line looked generally overmatched. The Panthers will bring minimal, if any drop-off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Derrick Brown and Brian Burns headline a pass rush that consistently got after Desmond Ridder and the Falcons last week. Trevor Penning struggled mightily<\/a> handling basic speed rushes from Arden Key, and will now match up against Burns, who comes with an even deeper bag of tricks from his rush moves. A few bad plays from Penning may well be the difference in this game as they almost were against the Titans. Brown himself is no slouch either on the interior. If Week 1 was any indication, Brown may be headed to the position\u2019s elite in year four. Improvements from Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz will be vital in minimizing Brown\u2019s disruption up the middle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

My lord. Derrick Brown. pic.twitter.com\/F3lsBGhDQL<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) September 11, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n