Despite a difficult loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday, the Carolina Panthers will try to keep choppin’ wood against another NFC South opponent this week.
And to make sure they end up with more lumber than the host New Orleans Saints, here are four key matchups they’ll have to win in Week 14:
Panthers WR Adam Thielen vs. Saints CB Alontae Taylor
After a white-hot start to his 10th NFL season, Thielen has cooled off of late. The 33-year-old has recently garnered some extra attention from opposing defenses, as he was held to just 25 yards on four catches over the last two games.
He got quite a bit of attention of Taylor in their first matchup from Week 2. The two locked horns for seven of Thielen’s nine targets, which resulted in five receptions for 38 yards and a touchdown.
Panthers WR Jonathan Mingo vs. Saints CB Paulson Adebo
Week 2 also saw Mingo and Adebo match up a few times. But that showdown ended with zero catches over three targets for the rookie wideout.
12 weeks older, Mingo may be starting to turn a corner. Not only is he coming in off a career-high 69 receiving yards, but Week 13’s outing marked the first time he’s recorded consecutive games of at least 60 yards.
Panthers LT Ikem Ekwonu vs. Saints DE Carl Granderson
There’s no need to mention Cameron Jordan here. We’ve seen him wreak havoc on the Panthers for 13 years, so we’re all well aware.
Instead, let’s give some well-deserved shine to his pal in Granderson—who leads the Saints in sacks (5.5), tackles for a loss (10), pressures (45) and stops (37). He, along with Jordan (of course), registered a game-high six pressures and a sack back in the first matchup.
Panthers LBs vs. Saints RB Alvin Kamara
Unfortunately, we don’t have any Week 2 stats to reference here—as Kamara was serving the second game of his suspension when the Panthers and Saints met in September. But we may have a bunch of numbers to look at from this one.
To make sure those are low numbers, the middle of the Carolina defense will have to keep tabs on the five-time Pro Bowler—especially through the air. Kamara has served as a wide safety net for quarterback Derek Carr, as he’s averaged almost eight targets a game.
