Who will win Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints game? What the NFL experts say
The Carolina Panthers are in the Monday Night Football spotlight for the first time since 2018. But will they prevail?
That’s one of the several questions rookie quarterback Bryce Young and a banged up secondary and an injury scorned offensive line will ultimately answer by the end of their Week 2 contest against the New Orleans Saints, which begins at 7:15 p.m. in Bank of America Stadium.
Per FanDuel, the Panthers are three-point underdogs in their contest against the NFC South foe with the over/under at 40. How does that betting line compare to expert predictions around the country — as well as in the Panthers’ backyard?
Here’s what the experts say.
Charlotte Observer predictions for Panthers-Saints game
Keeping accountable, Mike Kaye and Scott Fowler are each 1-0 in predictions after Week 1. Alex Zietlow and Langston Wertz Jr. are both 0-1 .
Mike Kaye: Panthers win, 24-23. Carolina was undisciplined in its 24-10 loss to the Falcons last week. With the Panthers coming home, in the regular-season Bank of America Stadium debut of Bryce Young, I expect Carolina to bounce back in a way that will calm some nerves. The Saints needed a titanic turnover performance from their defense — with three interceptions of Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill — to beat Tennessee last week, 16-15. I was encouraged enough by the Panthers’ offensive line and defensive front last week that I feel like there should be more surge in the offensive run game and defensive pass rush this week. The Panthers’ defense simply needs to tackle well, and if Young can avoid multiple turnovers, the home squad should be in position to squeak out a tight win.
Alex Zietlow: Panthers win, 20-10. The idiom “don’t throw good money after bad” is true and helpful and should be heeded. And considering my season prediction, I understand the notion that that’s what I might be doing here. But I’m not: Yes, the Panthers will be missing two guards on the offensive line and their star cornerback Jaycee Horn, who was placed on the team’s IR on Friday. But the Saints also left something to be desired in their one-point Week 1 win, echoing what Mike said. Plus, Bryce Young in prime time? He’s played on these big stages before; no reason to doubt him yet.
Scott Fowler: New Orleans wins, 23-16. I’ll happily be wrong on this one if needed, Panthers fans, but unfortunately I don’t think I am. The Panthers are struggling with a lack of true offensive weaponry. And while Bryce Young is going to be very good if he stays healthy, veteran New Orleans QB Derek Carr is very good already. The Saints are my pick to win the NFC South this year.
Langston Wertz Jr.: The Saints offense didn’t put up many points in a 16-15 win over Tennessee but QB Derek Carr threw for 305 yards and receiver Chris Olave had eight catches for 112 yards. With Panthers star cornerback Jaycee Horn out and Carolina missing two offensive lineman, this one doesn’t look good for the home team on paper. But I’m guessing Bryce Young, aka the Human Computer, processes his mistakes from Week 1 and helps Carolina find the end zone more in a 24-21 win.
What FOX, CBS Sports, more experts are saying
CBS Sports: Pete Prisco of CBS has the New Orleans Saints triumphing in Week 2, dominating 24-16.
Bleacher Report: Seven of the publication’s eight NFL experts have the Saints winning this one. Brad Gagnon is the only one with faith in Carolina.
New York Times: Emmanuel Morgan has the Saints winning this one, too, citing Bryce Young’s first matchup with a great Saints secondary and Jaycee Horn’s troublesome hamstring injury.
The Ringer: Sheil Kapadia chose the Saints as an “emotional hedge” after opting to go with the Panthers in Week 1 and getting burned for it. Fair enough.
This story was originally published September 18, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
