The New Orleans Saints can move into first place in the NFC South when they host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Both teams enter Week 10 at 3-5. The Saints are coming off a 23-22 overtime win over the Cleveland Browns.
Chris Olave and the Saints' pass rush give New Orleans two ways to take control, though an injury along the offensive line creates another challenge. Here are five matchups that could help determine whether the Saints put together consecutive wins for the first time this season.
1. Chris Olave vs Panthers CBs
Olave enters the pivotal game with 56 catches for 734 yards so far, and Carolina's cornerback situation is still taking shape. Will Lee III was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough after missing last week's game, while Mike Jackson opened
his practice window following a groin injury. Jackson still needs to be activated before he can play.
Moving Olave around could help the Saints find favorable matchups. The final outlook on Carolina's defense, though, could look a lot different depending on who is available.
2. Cesar Ruiz and Jeremiah Wright vs Derrick Brown
Kellen Moore confirmed on Wednesday that Ruiz will move to center in place of injured starter Erik McCoy, with Wright, the rookie, taking over at right guard. That allows William Sherman to remain in his swing offensive lineman role.
Moore expressed confidence in Ruiz at center, though Brown will test how the reshuffled interior works together, particularly when Ruiz and Wright need to pass off rushers or combine on blocks. One key to winning will be keeping pressure out of Tyler Shough's face while also creating running lanes, which is why this lands so high on the Saints' list of priorities.
3. Chase Young and Carl Granderson vs Carolina's OTs
Young has eight sacks, and Granderson has 7.5, giving the Saints two productive rushers to challenge a Panthers offense that has allowed Bryce Young to be sacked 26 times. The Saints should have opportunities to disrupt the passing game, but keeping Carolina's QB contained will matter as much as getting into the backfield. Pressure loses some of its value if it opens an escape route.
4. Kool-Aid McKinstry and Martin Emerson Jr. vs. Tetairoa McMillan.
McMillan leads Carolina with 46 catches for 625 yards and three touchdowns, making him a priority for the Saints' coverage plan. McKinstry and Emerson are both expected to see him depending on where he lines up. However, Emerson has a shin injury that could warrant some attention after a limited practice on Wednesday.
New Orleans needs to make McMillan work for his catches without committing so much help that other receivers like Jalen Coker get easy opportunities. Limiting his production would put more responsibility on the rest of Carolina's passing game.
5. Audric Estime (and maybe Travis Etienne Jr.) vs Devin Lloyd and the Panthers' run defense.
To start with Estime, the newly-signed running back gave the Saints a boost against Cleveland with 72 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries. Carolina allows 133.4 rushing yards per game, ranking 28th, which gives New Orleans a chance to build on that production.
Lloyd and the Panthers' linebackers will be responsible for cleaning up runs that get through the defensive front. Etienne's return to practice makes the backfield workload worth monitoring, but Estime's performance gives the Saints a reason to keep him involved after a slow first half of the season on the ground.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 5 matchups to monitor in New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers
