The Carolina Panthers (5-5) travel to New Orleans (8-2) for a Week 12 divisional matchup.
Matchup Stats
- The Panthers will play the Saints for the 50th meeting all-time, the most against any Panthers opponent. Carolina holds a 25-24 edge in the all-time series as the two teams have met at least twice a year in every season since 1995.
- The Saints have won five of the last seven meetings, with Carolina winning six of the previous eight meetings before that. The two teams have combined to win for five of the last six NFC south titles.
- Carolina still ranks 10th in the NFL with 126.0 rushing yards per game and second with 5.1 rushing . The Panthers have ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing in seven of the last eight seasons, dating back to 2011.
- The Panthers tie for the NFL lead with 39 sacks. With the franchise record at 60, Carolina must average 3.3 sacks per game for the rest of the year to break the franchise record.
- New Orleans' defense is one of the top units in the NFL, especially against the run. The Saints allow just 85.3 yards per game on the ground, ranking third in the league. The Saints also protect the quarterback, allowing just 19 sacks this year, tied for sixth in the league.
- In his last 10 home games against Carolina, Drew Brees has averaged 334.0 passing yards with a 105.8 passer rating and 28 passing touchdowns.
- Michael Thomas leads the NFL with 94 receptions and 1,141 receiving yards to go with five touchdowns. Thomas and Carolina's DJ Moore are the only two NFC receivers with at least seven catches in six or more games in 2019.
| Category | Panthers | Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Offense | ||
| Total Yards/Game | 346.6 (18th) | 364.0 (14th) |
| Rushing Yards/Game | 126.0 (10th) | 107.5 (17th) |
| Passing Yards/Game | 249.5 (18th) | 271.4 (11th) |
| Sacks Allowed | 34 (t-25th) | 19 (t-6th) |
| Third Down Efficiency | 30.7 (28th) | 44.2 (8th) |
| Points/Game | 22.8 (15th) | 23.8 (13th) |
| Defense | ||
| Total Yards/Game | 362.0 (19th) | 318.3 (6th) |
| Rushing Yards/Game | 128.4 (27th) | 85.3 (3rd) |
| Passing Yards/Game | 233.6 (14th) | 233.0 (13th) |
| Sacks | 39 (t-1st) | 27 (t-12th) |
| Third Down Efficiency | 41.4 (22nd) | 33.6 (5th) |
| Points/Game | 25.7 (25th) | 19.9 (12th) |
Individual Stats
- Last Sunday, Christian McCaffrey set a number of NFL records. He became the first player in NFL history with 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in the first 10 games of a season. He passed LaDainian Tomlinson's record for the most receptions by a running back (246) in the first three seasons of an NFL season.
- McCaffrey leads the NFL with 1,576 scrimmage yards and 1,059 rushing yards. He is tied for first with 14 total touchdowns and second among running backs with 59 receptions.
- Over the last three weeks, DJ Moore leads the NFL with 24 receptions and is second with 316 receiving yards.
- Greg Olsen ranks ninth among tight ends with 40 receptions and eighth with 486 receiving yards.
- Kyle Allen has recorded consecutive games of 300+ passing yards, tying the Panthers franchise high.
- Luke Kuechly is tied for sixth in the NFL with 90 tackles.
- James Bradberry and Donte Jackson are tied for fifth in the league with three interceptions each.
The Panthers trail the all-time series against the Saints, 27-29. Carolina has played New Orleans more than any other team in its history.
Carolina Panther Luke Kuechly (59) keeps his eyes on New Orleans Saint quarterback Drew Brees at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers' Rod Smart (32) runs past cheering teammates for a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 5, 2003. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) makes a reception in the red zone against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in New Orleans, LA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in New Orleans, LA.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints in Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams in action during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panther Curtis Samuel (10) evades New Orleans Saints Marcus Williams at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in New Orleans, LA.
New Orleans Saints defenders Roman Harper (41) and Jason David (42) try to defend Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) in the second half of their NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008. Smith caught the long pass to keep the Panthers' game-winning drive alive as they defeated the Saints 33-31. (AP Photo/Chris Martinez)
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints in Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees (9) looks to pass as Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers against the New Orleans Saints during the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) scrambles as New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant (94) pursues during the second half of the Panthers' 30-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints in Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
New Orleans Saints kicker Olindo Mare right, tries to grab the ball as Steve Weatherford (7) scrambles with Carolina Panthers Richard Marshall after the kick was blocked in the second half of their football game in the Superdome in New Orleans Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. The Panthers won 16-13.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith (89) gets by New Orleans Saints cornerback Fred Thomas on his way to a 15-yard, third-quarter touchdown during an NFL football game in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005. The Panthers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Paul Rutherford)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, bottom, lies on the field after being sacked by Carolina Panthers defender Richard Marshall (31) in the second half of their NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Mark Fields (58) celebrates sacking New Orleans Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks (2), center, on ground (partially obscured), at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002. The Panthers defeated the Saints, 10-6. On ground at right is Saints' Spencer Folau.(AP Photo/Doug Keese)
Carolina Panthers' Ken Lucas, left, intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints' Marques Colston, right, during the third quarter of the Panthers' 30-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore (3) scrambles during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay, center, is surrounded by his teammates after his field goal as time expired in an NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. The Panthers won 16-13. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The celebration begins as Carolina Panthers' Todd Sauerbrun (10) John Kasay (4) and Kris Mangum (86) enjoy their 23-20 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003, in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Kasay kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime. Leave the field for the Saints is Jay Bellamy (20). Holding for Kasay was punter Todd Souerbrun (10). (AP Photo/Andrew Cohoon)
New Orleans Saints defenders Johnathan Sullivan, left, and Brian Young (66) pursue Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) during the first half of an NFL football game at LSU's Tiger Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005, in Baton Rouge, La. The Panthers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Milestones to Watch
- Christian McCaffrey needs 84 receiving yards to pass Roger Craig (2,118) for the most receiving yards by a running back through the first three seasons of a career.
- McCaffrey needs one receiving TD to join Chuck Foreman (1973-75) as the only NFL players with 20 rushing TDs and 15 receiving TDs in the first three seasons of a career.
- McCaffrey needs 457 rushing yards to eclipse DeAngelo Williams' franchise record (1,515, 2008) for rushing yards in a season.
- McCaffrey is 390 scrimmage yards away from breaking his own franchise record (1,965) which he set last season. With 424 scrimmage yards and 41 receptions, he would become the second player in NFL history with 100+ receptions and 2,000+ scrimmage yards.
- Luke Kuechly needs 10 tackles for his eighth consecutive season with at least 100 tackles. He would become the fifth NFL player since individual tackles were recorded with eight straight 100-tackle seasons.
View photos from Wednesday's practice as Carolina prepares to take on New Orleans in Week 12.
