Week 17 Matchup
Broadcast Info
Panthers Week 16 Stats
Saints Week 16 Stats
Panthers Week 16 Recap
Series History
Statistical Comparison
Connections
Series Facts

Saints vs. Panthers | Week 17 Matchup

With their chances to be the NFC's number one seed in the postseason still alive, the New Orleans Saints (11-4) will travel to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers (5-10) in the regular season finale for both clubs at Bank of America Stadium. The contest with a 3:25 p.m. kickoff will be regionally televised on FOX.

The Saints are coming off of a dominating 52-33 nationally televised Christmas day victory over the Minnesota Vikings, where the ground game took charge with 264 yards rushing. Running back Alvin Kamara put forth one of the most dominating individual performances of 2020, as he carried 22 times for 155 yards (7.0 avg.) with six touchdowns, adding three receptions for 17 yards. Kamara, who had just been selected to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl the prior Monday, tied the National Football League record for total touchdowns and rushing touchdowns, while setting career-highs in carries and rushing yardage. A stout offensive line blocked for the seventh-most rushing yards in a contest in club record books. A stout offensive line blocked for the seventh-most rushing yards in a Saints game, spurred a franchise-record seven touchdowns on the ground and did not allow quarterback Drew Brees to be sacked once as the signal-caller, became the first player in NFL history to reach 80,000 career passing yards. Completing 19-of-26 throws for 311 yards. Brees' top two targets in the passing game were wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who led the team in catches and yards (four grabs for 83 yards) and tight end Jared Cook, who posted three grabs for 82 yards.

In winning the time of possession battle 36:47-23:13, New Orleans' bruising rushing attack was complemented by a defense that made timely third down stops, two key sacks and forced fumbles and solid performances by its leaders. After Vikings running back Dalvin Cook carried nine times for 51 yards (5.7 avg.) in the first half, he just managed six carries for 22 yards (3.7 avg.) in the final two quarters as the Saints run defense tightened up. The defense's veteran leadership came through against an offense known for explosive plays. Linebacker Demario Davis led the Saints with eight tackles (six solo), increasing his club-best total to 114 stops. Safety Malcolm Jenkins posted seven stops, a split sack with defensive tackle David Onyemata and one forced fumble. Defensive tackle Cameron Jordan recorded the 100th sack (regular season and postseason combined) of his career on a fourth quarter play that resulted in a forced fumble and 11-yard loss.

New Orleans will face an opportunistic Carolina team that kept the Washington Football team from clinching the NFC East with a 20-13 win at FedEx Field, behind 197 yards passing from former Saints signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater and an opportunistic performance on defense and special teams. 5-0 in the division, New Orleans will look to become the first team to finish 6-0 in the NFL South on Sunday in their quest for the top seed.

Saints vs. Panthers | Week 17 Broadcast Information

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 – 3:25 P.M. (CST)
LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD – PHILADELPHIA, PA

TV: FOX (WVUE FOX 8 locally) - Adam Amin (play-by-play), Mark Schlereth (color analyst), Lindsay Czarniak (sideline)
NATIONAL RADIO: Compass Media Networks – Chris Carrino (play-by-play) and Brian Baldinger (color analyst)
LOCAL RADIO: WWL (870 AM and 105.3 FM) – Zach Strief (play-by-play), Deuce McAllister (color analyst)
SPANISH LANGUAGE RADIO: KGLA (830 AM and 105.7 FM) – Mario Jerez (play-by-play), Juan Carlos Ramos and Victor Quinonez (color analysts)

Photos: Game Action #1 | Saints-Panthers Week 7 2020