The Carolina Panthers, at 5-4 and winners of four of their last five games, are absolutely humming. And now, they return home for Week 10, following a stunning upset of the NFC-leading Green Bay Packers, to take on the 1-8 New Orleans Saints.

But make no mistake, this outing still may not be an easy one. After all, anything can happen in these NFC South battles.

Here are the key matchups the Panthers must take advantage of to avoid getting upended by the lowly Saints:

Panthers’ offensive line vs. Saints’ defensive line

Panthers offensive line coach Joe Gilbert deserves a ton of props for his work this season. Despite a constant stream of injuries, which has forced Carolina to field seven different starting lines in nine games, the unit has been reliable week in and week out.

Now, they’ll face a pretty solid group headed by pass rushers Carl Granderson and Chase Young, who have combined for 7.5 sacks thus far. Defensive tackles Bryan Breese and Nathan Shepherd have cooked up some heat as well—ranking first and third, respectively, in pressures for New Orleans.

Oh, and Cam Jordan is still around, and he’s still producing. The eight-time Pro Bowler has totaled the second-most pressures (17) on the Saints defense.

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle vs. Saints’ run defense

Carolina’s trench has helped open up one heck of a run for Dowdle, who has averaged a whopping 173 rushing yards in three games as a starter. Last week, in his first contest as the newly-minted bell cow, he amassed 25 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the 13-6 win over the Packers.

Dowdle will be a handful for a Saints defense that has allowed the ninth-most rushing yards per game (129.4).

Panthers WR Jalen Coker vs. Saints CB Alontae Taylor

The slot will be an interesting area to keep an eye on this Sunday.

It’s where Taylor, in the dreadful season opener from 2024, recorded three sacks of quarterback Bryce Young. So the Panthers will have to account for the former second-round pick on blitzes.

On the other end will be Coker, who has reeled in just four passes for 45 yards in his three games this season. Carolina might be looking to get him going—especially if Tetairoa McMillan, their leading receiver, is unable to put his sudden hamstring injury behind him.

Panthers’ pass rush vs. Saints’ offensive tackles

New Orleans’ starting bookends may be vulnerable this weekend. Rookie left tackle Kelvin Banks has relinquished the fourth-most pressures (30) amongst all offensive linemen while right tackle Taliese Fuaga is out with an ankle injury.

This could present the Panthers’ pass rush with a great opportunity to improve on their sack total—which, at 14, ranks as the sixth-lowest in the NFL.

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