Three matchups to watch: Saints at Panthers

Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

This weekend’s NFC South contest between the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers presents an opportunity for the Saints to return to the scene of their former head coach’s final game. Thus providing a chance to measure growth and change since that franchise-altering moment.

Here are three matchups that can help New Orleans see the growth, or regression, the team has undergone since that 2024 Week 9 game.

WR Chris Olave vs. CB Jaycee Horn

New Orleans has a chance to get its passing game going against the Panthers this week with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough at the helm. After facing one of the NFL’s better defensive units last week, Olave reeled in 57 receiving yards. He now matches up against a familiar opponent in Horn.

The Panthers’ top cornerback isn’t the only coverage player that Olave will line up across, however. He will move around on the offense, but he’ll likely draw Horn in perimeter assignments making for some important snaps in the matchup. With wide receiver Rashid Shaheed traded before the deadline, Olave should see more field-stretching opportunities for the offense.

Saints’ IOL vs. Dl Derrick Brown

Brown popped up on the Thursday injury report with an elbow injury but is good to go this weekend. That allows him to match up against two backup pieces at center and left guard following the Saints’ recent trade of Trevor Penning. Brown can be a very disruptive player on the interior. Going up against him while the rushing attack has struggled isn’t a very advantageous situation for New Orleans.

DE Chase Young vs. LT Ikem Ekwonu

Young has, for the first time in his career, piled on three sacks in the stretch of three games. He is looking to extend that streak, matching up for the most part with Ekwonu. The left tackle has surrendered 21 pressures and a pair of sacks this season, both of which are the most or tied for the most allowed on the team.

Young has been a terror since returning to the lineup. Not only as a pass rusher, but he has made an impact in the run game as well. That will be very important going up against running back Rico Dowdle, who is in the middle of a breakout campaign in Carolina.