Panthers, Saints Look to Rebound From Discouraging Losses on Thursday Night Football

The Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints face off on Thursday Night Football in an NFC South battle, as both teams try to close the gap behind Atlanta for the division lead. 

And they’ll both have to do it following discouraging late losses. 

The Panthers (3-6) were held scoreless in the second half of their 20-17 loss to Kansas City, which kicked at field goal to win after scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter.

New Orleans (4-5), meanwhile, looked to have had a go-ahead touchdown in the final two minutes against Denver, but the extra point was blocked and returned for two points and a 25-23 Broncos win.

The Panthers and Saints face off at 8 p.m. ET Thursday on NBC. 

Even though the Falcons also lost Sunday, Carolina won’t have much margin for error after a disastrous start to the season in which they allowed nearly 30 points a game and went 1-5. Quarterback Cam Newton absorbed a lot of criticism, though one of his better games this season was in a loss at New Orleans in Week 6. He threw for 322 yards and two TDs in a 48-33 loss.

In the rematch, he might need to be even better.

Drew Brees leads one of the NFL’s top-ranked passing games, and is in the midst of one of his best seasons in years. He’ll turn 38 during the playoffs, too, and the way New Orleans has been playing, he could still be in the hunt then for his second Super Bowl title.

Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs got off to a 1-5 start just like Carolina did this season. Only the Chiefs won the final 10 games of the regular season and a wild card game before losing to New England in the divisional round.

That seems all out of reach for Carolina now, but if the Saints can ride a second-half turnaround to the playoffs, past a resurgent Tampa Bay that also won on Sunday to tie New Orleans at 4-5, they’ll have to get started Thursday night.

Four to watch

Panthers DT Star Lotulelei: The tackle leads the Panthers in sacks and will be key in getting pressure against a Saints offensive front that has occasionally struggled to protect the middle of the line.

Panthers TE Greg Olsen: One of the top receiving threats among all players in the leagues, not just tight ends. And yes, that includes New England’s Rob Gronkowski, despite the attention he gets.

Saints RB Mark Ingram: The Saints’ passing game gets all the hype, but their ground game is above average. Ingram’s average per carry is more than 4.5 yards, even if John Kuhn usually gets the call to punch it in from close. A big game from him can change things fast.

Saints DE Cameron Jordan: Got his fourth sack of the season on Sunday, one of six racked up by a resurgent New Orleans pass rush.

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