The Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS (3-4) at CAROLINA (3-4-1)
Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFL Network
OPENING LINE — Saints by 1 1/2
RECORD VS. SPREAD — New Orleans 3-4, Carolina 4-4
SERIES RECORD — Panthers lead 20-18
LAST MEETING — Panthers beat Saints 17-13, Dec. 22, 2013
LAST WEEK — Saints beat Packers 44-23; Panthers lost to Seahawks 13-9
AP PRO32 RANKING — Saints No. 18, Panthers No. 21.
SAINTS OFFENSE — OVERALL (2), RUSH (7), PASS (2).
SAINTS DEFENSE — OVERALL (28), RUSH (10), PASS (31).
PANTHERS OFFENSE — OVERALL (24), RUSH (27), PASS (17).
PANTHERS DEFENSE — OVERALL (21), RUSH (32), PASS (18).
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Saints coach Sean Payton is 28-16 in NFC South games since 2006. He’s 7-7 vs. Carolina. … Saints 26-0 under Payton when not committing a turnover. … QB Drew Brees has thrown for three or more TDs in three of last five games vs. Carolina. … RB Mark Ingram ran for 172 yards last week vs. Packers. … Saints have converted NFL-best 47.4 percent of third-down opportunities. … TE Jimmy Graham has scored in five straight games vs. Panthers. … WR Brandin Cooks had a rushing and receiving TD last week. … DE Cameron Jordan has five sacks in last five games vs. Carolina. … Saints averaging 5.1 yards per carry, second best in NFL. … Saints have allowed eight sacks. … QB Cam Newton is 3-1 vs. Saints in last four starts, and won nine of last 11 starts in home games. … Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams (ankle sprain) expected to start. Williams ran for career-high 210 yards vs. Saints on Dec. 30, 2012. … Panthers have allowed 18 sacks. … WR Kelvin Benjamin on pace for team rookie record of 76 receptions, 1,142 yards and 10 TDs. … TE Greg Olsen has TD reception in three straight home games. … S Roman Harper played eight seasons for Saints. … LB Luke Kuechly had career-high 24 tackles in last meeting.
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