The last time the Panthers played in New Orleans, they led by 10 points in the third quarter. They lost 20-17 on a field goal with 2 seconds left.
Saints quarterback Tyler Shough threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to receiver Chris Olave with 2:29 to play, and the extra point tied the game. Kicker Charlie Smyth then made the 47-yard winner.
On Sunday the Carolina Panthers go back to the Caesars Superdome with first place at stake. They and the New Orleans Saints are both 3-5 and tied atop the NFC South, according to the NFL's standings. Tampa Bay and Atlanta are a half-game back at 3-6. The winner leads the division alone.
"Division football right here," head coach Dave Canales said Wednesday. "Championship opportunity right in front of us."
Carolina has lost three straight. The last was a 26-21 loss to Denver on Nov. 8 in which a goal-line pass was ruled an interception on a challenge. New Orleans won its last game.
Panthers injury report
Linebacker Bobby Okereke (foot), the team's second-leading tackler with 49, is out for Sunday. He did not practice all week and also missed the Denver game. Running back Jonathon Brooks and cornerback Mike Jackson, whose windows to return to practice from injury opened Wednesday, are doubtful. Both have groin injuries and were listed as limited all three days this week.
Outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips (hamstring) and cornerback Will Lee III (hamstring), who both missed the Denver game, are questionable, and Lee was limited in Friday's practice. Receiver Xavier Legette (knee), whose practice window also opened Wednesday, and offensive lineman Brady Christensen (hamstring) are questionable as well. "He's there, he's ready to go," Canales said of Legette on Friday. Guard Damien Lewis (knee), who also missed the Denver game, has no game status, and neither does running back Chuba Hubbard, who rested Wednesday and practiced fully Thursday and Friday.
How the teams match up
Quarterback Bryce Young ranks fourth in the NFL at 274.6 passing yards a game, according to the Panthers' game release. The Saints rank 28th in pass defense. They rank 29th against the run, allowing 133.9 yards a game, and Hubbard has 619 rushing yards. New Orleans has also lost nine fumbles, the most in the league.
"They have a really good pass rush," Canales said Wednesday. Defensive end Chase Young has 8 of the Saints' 23 sacks. Carolina has allowed 26, which ranks 26th.
Carolina's run defense ranks 28th, allowing 133.4 yards a game. Todd Wash, the interim defensive coordinator, called his first game against Denver. Asked Thursday about the run defense in that game, he described his approach. "So we're going to load the box," he said. "We're going to stop the run and make you throw the ball to beat us."
Shough has thrown for 1,986 yards, and Olave has 734 receiving yards.
Kickoff is 1 p.m. on Fox and WRFX 99.7 FM.