The first-place Carolina Panthers . . . wait, that sounded weird. Let’s just check to make sure . . .

Ok, yes—the first-place Carolina Panthers will be back in action on Sunday, after their latest bye week in 24 years. Oh, and it even seems they’ll be able to clinch their first postseason berth in almost eight years with just two consecutive wins.

That short and sweet checklist begins this weekend, against the 3-10 New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. But don’t let that record fool you—this might not be an easy trip to “The Big Easy” for the playoff-hopeful Panthers.

Here are the biggest storylines for Carolina’s Week 15 showdown in New Orleans . . .

Black (and gold) magic

You would think someone down in Louisiana has been going to town on voodoo doll of quarterback Bryce Young given his persistent struggles with the Saints.

In what feels to be an opposite effect of how he’s handled the Atlanta Falcons over his NFL career, Young has come up stale against this NFC South foe almost time and time again. The Panthers are 1-4 versus the Saints when starting Young—who, over those five games, completed just 54 percent of his passes while averaging 149.2 passing yards per outing and 5.0 yards per attempt with only two touchdown throws to four interceptions.

Weeks 10 and 11 were a perfect encapsulation of Young’s history with these division rivals. After coming up with 124 passing yards and a pick in a disappointing 17-7 loss to New Orleans in Week 10, he turned right around to chuck for a franchise-record 448 yards and three scores in a 30-27 win in Atlanta.

Young’s last offering, perhaps in a good sign, was much closer to the latter performance. He tossed for 205 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions to push the Panthers past the NFC-leading Los Angeles Rams in Week 13.

If the third-year passer is closer to that version of himself (or pretend that he’s playing in Mercedes-Benz Stadium), then he may be able to shake off the spell on Sunday.

Shifting backs?

Is running back Chuba Hubbard about to reclaim the top spot in Carolina’s backfield?

The fifth-year rusher looked the best he has all season in Week 13, where he ran for 83 yards on 17 carries (seven more than the previous three games combined) and tallied a 35-yard catch-and-run to the end zone. Over his last four contests, he’s run for 134 yards on 27 attempts—good enough for a rock-solid 5.0 yards per tote.

Rico Dowdle, on the other hand, may be slowing down a bit. After lighting the league up and taking over as the engine of the offense back in Week 5, he’s not been as efficient of late—averaging 3.2 yards a carry over his last four contests.

Perhaps the wear-and-tear of being the bell-cow back caught up to Dowdle. And maybe that week off will do wonders for him moving forward.

But don’t be surprised—given his fresher legs, recent success and the shifting balance between the two—if Hubbard becomes the more featured runner for the Panthers once again.

Small details, big heads

The Panthers were supposed to take care of business the last time they saw the Saints, who were a one-win team at the time. But that, obviously, was not the case.

New Orleans had their way in that double-digit win five weeks ago, totaling 388 total yards to Carolina’s 175. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough led the way in his second pro start, burning the Panthers for 282 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

After the roasting, Panthers players essentially proceeded to cook themselves for their lack of preparation that week. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu told reporters that the team didn’t lock into the “small details” in practice and rookie outside linebacker Nic Scourton claimed that some guys got “too big-headed.”

They’ll have to size up properly this time, especially with a golden opportunity to claim the NFC South crown ahead of them.

After Atlanta’s triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night, the Panthers just need to string together back-to-back wins in Weeks 15 and 16 to clinch their first division title in a decade. So, we’ll see if they come better equipped—with small details and smaller heads—in their second shot at these pesky Saints.

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