The Carolina Panthers will welcome the New Orleans Saints this afternoon in NFL Week 3 action. What is a reasonable final score prediction for this game?
Cam Newton and the Panthers have a fairly easy matchup this afternoon with the Saints not having star quarterback Drew Brees on the field due to a shoulder injury. Luke McCown is being asked to step into the starting role today, while he hasn't actually played a legitimate role in the NFL since the 2011 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Carolina will also be missing one of their key players in star linebacker Luke Kuechly, although they have plenty more talent that will step up and help replace him against a very poor offense.
At this point in time, the Saints look like they are well on their way to being an 0-3 football team, while Carolina should remain perfect at 3-0 if they play to their full potential.
New Orleans still has a solid dual-back system with Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller, but the Panthers' defense is going to focused on shutting down the ground game. McCown is going to have to come out and make a few plays immediately to start the game in order to force the Panthers to respect what the Saints can do through the air. It isn't like the Saints have a lot of big playmakers at the wide receiver position.
This NFC South rivalry has always been one of the best in the division. The fact that the Saints have to travel into Carolina, however, makes this a nearly impossible game for them to come out on top.
More than likely this will turn into a blowout, although the Panthers have a few holes in their offense. New Orleans will only have a chance to step up and come away with a win if their defense can step up and force a turnover or two. That doesn't seem terribly likely, but they can't be counted completely out before the game begins.
That being said, if Carolina takes care of the football and executes their game plan the Saints won't stand a chance.
Expect to see the Panthers come away with a fairly easy victory and to see McCown struggle in his first start since 2011. Brees will be missed in a big way, but the Saints likely wouldn't have won this game even with their starting quarterback. Carolina is a much better all-around football team and will take care of business this afternoon.
Carolina vs. New Orleans Final Score Prediction: Panthers 27, Saints 14
