Game Details
The New Orleans Saints will travel to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte for their regular season finale against the Carolina Panthers at 12PM. The Saints have a 12-11 record vs. Carolina at Bank of America Stadium. Of the 49 regular season games in the series, 24 have been decided by eight points or less, with New Orleans winning 12.
Carolina Panthers quotes
Interim head coach Perry Fewell on the resiliency of the Saints offensive line through injuries:
"I think they've done an excellent job. I know there have been some guys they've had to replace. They're working in conjunction with each other and working together. Drew's (Brees) is getting the ball out, spreading the ball to his different receivers. They're running the ball. You really can't tell much of anything has changed. That attributes to them being a good football team."
Interim head coach Perry Fewell on Michael Thomas' talent: "I just think that Coach Payton and his staff do a tremendous job of acquiring talent and using it to the best of their ability. They've used Michael in a way that he's maxed his performance. You want to maximize your performance as a player and that's your job as a coach. Both of them are working extremely well together."
Interim head coach Perry Fewell on how the Saints use Taysom Hill: "It's amazing. He's listed as a quarterback. He plays receiver, he plays quarterback. All of the different roles that he has, the job he does on special teams, he must be a football gym rat junkie to learn all those assignments and to execute to a high level which he does in all two phases of the game, since he plays on special teams. He must be a joy to be around and coach. I enjoy watching him play against others. Now I have to play against him."
Defensive coordinator Eric Washington on slowing down the Saints offense:
"We have to play with great vision and discipline as far as our drops are concerned. And then everything starts up front...we have to really constrict Drew Brees. We have to make sure we get our hands up and that if he's trying to throw through the middle of our defense, that we're there to provide some obstruction and hopefully we can get our hands on some passes in the form of tips at the line of scrimmage. There are a variety of things we have to do to limit their ability to check the ball down to a dynamic player like Alvin Kamara ."
Statistical Comparison
| Saints | Panthers | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 12-3 | 5-10 |
| Scoring Avg. (NFL Rank) | 27.7 (5) | 22.0 (18) |
| Opp. Scoring Avg. (NFL Rank) | 22.1 (14) | 28.5 (31) |
| Total Off. (NFL Rank) | 373.5 (8) | 342.7 (19) |
| Rushing Off. (NFL Rank) | 108.2 (16) | 118.5 (14) |
| Passing Off. (NFL Rank) | 265.3 (7) | 224.1 (21) |
| Total Def. (NFL Rank) | 333.3 (12) | 374.2 (23) |
| Rushing Def. (NFL Rank) | 94.7 (5) | 145.4 (31) |
| Passing Def. (NFL Rank) | 238.7 (16) | 228.8 (13) |
| Kickoff Return Avg. (NFL Rank) | 24.1 (7) | 21.7 (20) |
| Punt Return Avg. (NFL Rank) | 9.2 (6) | 7.3 (17) |
| Turnover Margin (NFL Rank) | +12 (3t) | -11 (27t) |
| Penalties | 117 | 82 |
| Penalty Yards | 992 | 700 |
| Opp. Penalties | 87 | 108 |
| Opp. Penalty Yards | 659 | 896 |
More related links of what the Carolina Panthers are saying about the New Orleans Saints
Will Grier will start again in the season finale
After having a chance to review the tape, interim head coach Perry Fewell was ready to break down rookie quarterback Will Grier's debut on Monday. What Fewell saw was enough to want to see Grier in action again, as he named the rookie the starter for Sunday's regular season finale against the Saints.
Christian McCaffrey preparing for what could be a grand finale
Last year, Carolina was in the same position entering the Week 17 matchup against the Saints, and McCaffrey only played for a single possession – only there wasn't a record at stake. This year, things look different.
Stats You Need To Know: What CMC needs in season finale
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Film Breakdown for Week 17: What Carolina did well against New Orleans earlier this year
Kevin Donnalley and Max Henson break down film from Carolina's game at New Orleans earlier this year in anticipation of Week 17's matchup against the Saints.
