Saints pass rush vs. Panthers QB Bryce Young
We have seen in the past how Bryce Young responds to a heavy pass rush. In the Saints’ 2024 season opener, Young ended the day with 2 interceptions on 13/30 passing as the New Orleans defense mauled him
for four sacks, including three from cornerback Alontae Taylor. While the Saints already had a solid four sacks, their pass rush for the day was even fiercer than the numbers suggest.
But the pass rush in New Orleans might be more talented this time around. Since returning from injury, Chase Young has looked like one of the league’s best from his position, and while Carl Granderson hasn’t produced much over the last few weeks, he had a strong start to the season. The Saints’ defense was picked apart by Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams after having strong performances against the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now going against one of the league’s most inconsistent quarterbacks, who likes to turn the ball over, the Saints’ defense must cause havoc.
Alvin Kamara vs. Panthers run defense
The Panthers’ run defense ranks just outside the bottom-10, being ranked the 11th worst in the NFL in total rushing yards allowed and 9th in yards per carry. Despite Carolina’s run defense struggles, the Saints’ run game is practically nonexistent. Veteran Alvin Kamara reached 30+ rushing yards just once in their last four games, rushing for 31 yards against the New England Patriots.
Tyler Shough played well enough in his first career start. Some things stood out and impressed, while others are clear problems. But the Saints could make life easier on the rookie and give him a viable run game to take some of the pressure off. Rattler struggled with the lack of a run game, and Shough will be no different.
Panthers WRs vs. Saints secondary
The Saints’ secondary had their worst showing of the season against the Rams. Matthew Stafford picked the defense apart with little to no pushback. Part of the Rams’ unstoppable offense was the playmakers they have at wide receiver. Davante Adams and Puka Nacua are some of the league’s top wideouts and showed out against a young New Orleans secondary.
Luckily for the Saints, the Panthers don’t have any of the league’s top-end talent at wideout, but they have plenty of promising playmakers. Rookie Tetairoa McMillan was the eighth overall pick of the draft and is as promising a wide receiver prospect as they come. At 6-foot-5, McMillan has the height and athleticism to take over a game. The promising rookie has already logged 558 yards on the season and is on pace for a 1,000-yard season.
On the other side of McMillan is another young talent, Xavier Legette. The former South Carolina wide receiver was Carolina’s first-round pick in 2024, and while not having the success of McMillan, he has the talent to take over. The Saints’ defense needs to limit the separation between the Panthers’ young playmakers and make Bryce Young force throws into tight windows.
