The Carolina Panthers are preparing for their second divisional matchup of the season as they host the New Orleans Saints this weekend. Following a narrow 16-13 victory over the Green Bay Packers, head coach Dave Canales has focused on maintaining team concentration and applying lessons learned from last week’s game.
“I think (the guys) responded great, coming back into work on Wednesday and understanding that it requires all of our energy to be focused on the opponent,” Canales said Friday. “The Saints are coming in, we got to look at all the stuff and be locked in.
“There can be distractions, you know, I want to make sure that the guys take from the Packers game the lessons of winning the turnover battle. And we turned one over, but we were plus one in that. All the critical variables that led to success, that led to the win, let’s capture those things, more so than trying to make it more than what it was.
“It was a win, and every win is great for us, but it’s the confidence in our process. It’s the confidence in the style of football that we play that works for us, and those are the lessons that we have to take and we have to carry over week after week.”
A key storyline ahead of Sunday’s contest is wide receiver Jalen Coker’s potential increased involvement. After returning from a preseason injury and being eased back into action over three games, both Canales and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik indicated plans to get Coker more touches.
“I’m expecting a big game from Jalen Coker at some point coming up, you know, as he continues to show what he’s doing out there. He looked great again,” Canales said Monday. “I got to do a better job, Brad and I, just getting Jalen going.”
Coker acknowledged his responsibility: “I just got to show up,” he said this week. “I mean, if they’re going to go out of their way to design plays calls for me, I’ve got to make sure that I’m open and I’m in the playbook and know what I’m doing and ready to go on Sunday.”
Last season against New Orleans at home—a 23-22 Panthers win—Coker contributed two receptions for 36 yards with an important third-down conversion.
He is expected to face defensive backs Kool-Aid McKinstry, Jonas Sanker, Alontae Taylor, as well as linebacker Demario Davis.
“Alontae Taylor, he’s a really good player, rangy, good cover guy; two corners, you know they got McKinstry…they’re going to be an athletic defense,” Coker said. “They’ve got Demario Davis…who’s just kind of been their rock for however many years he’s been doing this.”
Coker may see more targets depending on Tetairoa McMillan’s status; McMillan is questionable due to a hamstring injury sustained late in practice.
On offense for New Orleans, recent trades have shifted responsibilities among receivers following Rashid Shaheed’s move to Seattle. Cornerback Jaycee Horn noted Shaheed’s absence could affect how Carolina prepares defensively: “I mean, I know they probably do have to prep differently because (Shaheed) is a guy who could take the top off and game-breaking speed…we’ll see Sunday.”
Devaughn Vele is one option for increased playing time alongside leading receiver Chris Olave. Olave commented recently: “They’re using me in all types of ways…I’m excited going forward.” The Saints have occasionally sent Olave deep downfield but with limited completions so far this year.
Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero addressed New Orleans’ offensive threats: “Even though they traded Shaheed…Olave has got a lot of speed. Brandin Cooks has got a lot of speed. Their tight end…Johnson has a lot of speed…”
In terms of rushing attacks, Carolina’s defense started strong but dropped from Top 10 status after allowing 245 rushing yards against Buffalo; they currently rank 18th while giving up an average of 110.8 yards per game on the ground.
Without counting Buffalo’s performance earlier this season their average would remain within Top 10 levels at approximately 94 yards per game allowed.
The Panthers will face a Saints running game ranked near league bottom—27th overall—averaging only 89.6 rushing yards per contest. Alvin Kamara leads with averages below his career marks (41.9 yards per game), while his status remains questionable due to an ankle issue.
Running back Rico Dowdle continues pursuing milestones with Carolina; he needs 133 scrimmage yards (rushing or receiving) for 1,000 total this season and another 265 rushing yards specifically for a four-digit ground campaign.
According to Next Gen Stats data cited by team officials:
– Rico Dowdle has produced 172 rushing yards over expected this season (third-most NFL).
– He leads all rushers with outside runs at +144 yards over expected.
– His league-best mark stands at 7.1 yards per carry outside tackles with a success rate above half his attempts (56%).
A notable matchup features rookie pass-rusher Nic Scourton facing Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough—both trained together before entering this year’s draft cycle.
“I call him granddad,” joked Scourton about Shough’s age advantage among rookies but added: “…he’s tough…He wants to go out and compete.”
Shough took over starting duties midseason after limited appearances; he has completed roughly half his passes (32-for-56), throwing one touchdown versus two interceptions across three games played thus far.
Veteran Tershawn Wharton discussed keeping pressure on Shough: “We’ve got to kind of get him out of his rhythm early…So just going to attack him early…”
Next Gen Stats also highlight:
– Shough completes passes at lower rates against zone coverage compared with other quarterbacks.
– The Panthers use zone coverage most frequently among NFL teams—on nearly 85 percent of opponent dropbacks—and limit opponents’ success rate effectively under such schemes (42.6 percent).
Quarterback Bryce Young has made strides under Canales’ system by releasing passes faster under pressure than ever before—with an average time-to-throw post-pressure measured at just .66 seconds according to Next Gen Stats data—and ranks among league leaders in minimizing sacks when pressured (second-lowest pressure-to-sack ratio).
Young will contend with New Orleans pass rushers Cam Jordan (2.5 sacks), Chase Young (3 sacks since returning from injury), and Carl Granderson (team-high 4.5 sacks). Running back Dowdle commented humorously regarding blocking assignments: “We do a good job of scheming things up…so I don’t really have to worry about it too much.”
