Who wants to win the NFC South?
Sometimes, it seems like the answer to that question is "nobody" based on how this season has played out. In any case, first place in the division will be on the line Sunday when the Carolina Panthers visit the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome.
If the Panthers are going to hang onto their division lead, they'll need to win some crucial one-on-one matchups. Here are four to keep a close eye on . . .
Panthers WR Jalen Coker vs. Saints CB Jonas Sanker
The Panthers need their slumping wide receiver corps to step up in this one—especially Coker, who has only totaled 84 receiving yards over the team's three-game losing streak.
Well, the good news is that Coker should have an advantage in the slot over Sanker, who he has two inches and a few pounds on. This year,
Sanker has allowed a 65.9-percent completion rate and a 92.5 passer rating in coverage.
Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard vs. Saints LB Pete Werner
Aside from one bad game against Tampa Bay, nobody has been more consistent for the Panthers offense this season than Hubbard.
Through eight games, he's totaled 619 rushing yards, which puts him on pace for a new career high. Hubbard also has a 53-percent success rate going and is averaging 77.4 yards per game on the ground, just a couple shy of his career-best 79.7 set in 2024.
The guy he'll have to get past is Werner, who leads the Saints with 65 combined tackles.
Panthers CBs vs. Saints WR Chris Olave
Whether or not the doubtful Mike Jackson is a go, Carolina's corners will have their hands full with Olave. He leads the Saints with 734 receiving yards, and no other player has more than 365.
If the Panthers' depleted cornerback room can contain Olave, it will leave their offense practically without any true weapons at the skill positions.
Panthers OLB Princely Umanmielen vs. Saints QB Tyler Shough
The Saints also don't have any run game to speak of, with Shough leading them at just 162 rushing yards on the year. That means if the Panthers can get pressure on Shough in the pocket, their offense may effectively be toast.
Carolina has to get more out of Umanmielen—who posted 3.0 sacks in the team's first four games, but has gone quiet since. Although the defense is likely to get fellow pass rusher Jaelan Phillips back in the fold, they might need Umanmielen to step back up.
A sack or two on Shough may be all it takes to secure a much-needed win.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Key matchups for Panthers vs. Saints in Week 10
