One of the NFL's biggest surprises, Carolina (7-6) is coming off an impressive 31-28 win over the Los Angeles Rams. And while they are still on the outside looking in on the NFC playoff picture, the Panthers now control their own playoff destiny in the NFC South thanks to the Buccaneers ' loss to the Falcons on Thursday night.

These teams met back on November 9 with the Saints winning 17-7. The New Orleans defense owned the day limiting the Panthers to a mere 73 yards rushing and just 175 yards of total offense. No doubt Carolina needs a more balanced attack this weekend.

Meanwhile in the NFC, the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles are floundering, the Detroit Lions might not even make the postseason and there's also no clear team-to-beat in their place, with only a single game separating the one seed and the seventh seed.

The Saints' strength this season has been their pass defense, an area where they should have a significant advantage in Week 15's Panthers rematch.

The Carolina Panthers might see a return from one of their receivers before the regular season comes to an end.

Carolina has also forced more turnovers (1.3 per game, 10th in 2025 vs. 1.0 per game in 2024, tied for 19th), and given up less drastically less rushing yards per contest in 2025 (118.7 YPG, 18th in the NFL vs 179.

The New Orleans Saints will be without one of their leaders this week against the Carolina Panthers. Here's the latest on Alvin Kamara's injury report

The Panthers' problems on third down are directly related to their inability to find good pass rushers, and to let their best go.