Saints vs. Panthers: What the Numbers Reveal About Sunday's NFC South Battle

New Orleans faces Carolina in a pivotal NFC South matchup Sunday. Here's a complete breakdown of both teams' injury reports, offensive and defensive rankings, statistical leaders and key players.

Oct 25, 2026; Paris, FRA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) and head coach Kellen Moore on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Stade de France Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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Fresh off their bye week, the New Orleans Saints return to action this Sunday at the Caesars Superdome, aiming to win consecutive games for the first time this season against the Carolina Panthers.

Both teams enter the contest with identical 3-5 records, but the Saints continue to struggle with consistency under head coach Kellen Moore. Quarterback Tyler Shough will face another difficult challenge behind an injury-plagued offensive line missing starting center Erik McCoy and right tackle Taliese Fuaga.

Meanwhile, Carolina enters the matchup with one of the NFL's more productive passing attacks, led by quarterback Bryce Young and rookie standout Tetairoa McMillan. With both defenses ranking near the bottom of the league in points allowed, Sunday's divisional showdown could turn into a high-scoring affair.

Here's everything you need to know about Sunday's matchup, including kickoff information, injury reports, team statistics and key players to watch.

When and Where?

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026
• Time: Noon CT (1 p.m. ET)
• Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, La.)
• TV: FOX

New Orleans Saints (3-5) 

Nov 8, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) makes a throw during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Complete Friday Injury Report

• C Erik McCoy: Out (biceps)
• OT Taliese Fuaga: Out (knee)
• RB CJ Donaldson: Out (shoulder)
• DT Christen Miller: Out (knee)
• RB Travis Etienne Jr.: Questionable (hamstring)
• CB Martin Emerson Jr.: Questionable (shin)

Key Statistics

Offensive Statistics

• Points per game: 23.1 (15th)
• Total yards per game: 325.8 (19th)
• Passing yards per game: 230.5 (14th)
• Rushing yards per game: 95.3 (26th)
• Passing touchdowns: 14 (T-12th)
• Rushing touchdowns: 7 (T-17th)
• Total offensive first downs: 164 (11th)
• Time of possession: 30:02 (19th)

Defensive Statistics

• Points allowed per game: 27.0 (27th)
• Total yards allowed per game: 370.5 (29th)
• Passing yards allowed per game: 236.6 (28th)
• Rushing yards allowed per game: 133.9 (29th)
• Sacks: 23 (10th)
• Interceptions: 4 (24th)
• Takeaways: 9 (T-20th)
• Turnover differential: Minus-6 (28th)

Additional Team Statistics

• Third-down conversion rate: 43.5% (7th)
• Red-zone touchdown percentage: 70.4% (6th)
• Turnovers committed: 15 (T-27th)
• Penalties: 49
• Penalty yards: 330
• Punt return average: 10.6 yards (13th)
• Kickoff return average: 24.4 yards (27th)

Key Statistics

Passing

- Tyler Shough: 1,986 yards, 14 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 66.2% completion rate, 91.2 passer rating

Rushing

• Tyler Shough: 162 yards, 2 touchdowns
• Kendre Miller: 159 yards
• Alvin Kamara: 157 yards, 2 touchdowns

Receiving

• Chris Olave: 56 receptions, 734 yards, 2 touchdowns
• Devaughn Vele: 35 receptions, 365 yards, 3 touchdowns
• Juwan Johnson: 289 receiving yards, 4 touchdowns

Key Defensive Players

• Pete Werner: 65 tackles
• Chase Young: 8 sacks
• Carl Granderson: 7.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss
• Julian Blackmon: 2 interceptions
• Martin Emerson Jr.: 2 interceptions, 4 passes defended

Carolina Panthers (3-5) 

Nov 8, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) celebrates with quarterback Bryce Young (9) after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Complete Injury Report

• LB Bobby Okereke: Out (foot)
• RB Jonathon Brooks: Doubtful (groin)
• CB Mike Jackson: Doubtful (groin)
• OL Brady Christensen: Questionable (hamstring)
• CB Will Lee III: Questionable (hamstring)
• WR Xavier Legette: Questionable (knee)
• LB Jaelan Phillips: Questionable (hamstring)

Key Statistics

Offensive Statistics

• Points per game: 24.9 (11th)
• Total yards per game: 362.4 (8th)
• Passing yards per game: 261.1 (4th)
• Rushing yards per game: 101.3 (23rd)
• Passing touchdowns: 16 (6th)
• Rushing touchdowns: 7 (T-17th)
• Total offensive first downs: 176 (6th)
• Time of possession: 29:18 (27th)

Defensive Statistics

• Points allowed per game: 27.4 (T-28th)
• Total yards allowed per game: 344.9 (21st)
• Passing yards allowed per game: 211.5 (9th)
• Rushing yards allowed per game: 133.4 (28th)
• Sacks: 12 (31st)
• Interceptions: 5 (20th)
• Takeaways: 11 (ranking not verified)
• Turnover differential: Minus-1 (T-17th)

Additional Team Statistics

• Third-down conversion rate: 37.7% (19th)
• Red-zone touchdown percentage: 67.9% (7th)
• Turnovers committed: 12 (T-20th)
• Penalties: 70 (2nd most per game)
• Penalty yards: 635 (most per game)
• Punt return average: 11.5 yards (9th)
• Kickoff return average: 23.6 yards (31st)

Top Performers

Passing

• Bryce Young: 2,197 yards, 16 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 60.4% completion rate, 91.3 passer rating

Rushing

•  Chuba Hubbard: 134 carries, 619 yards, 5 touchdowns, 4.6 yards per carry

Receiving

• Tetairoa McMillan: 46 receptions, 625 yards, 3 touchdowns
• Jalen Coker: 31 receptions, 393 yards, 3 touchdowns
• Chuba Hubbard: 26 receptions, 167 yards, 2 touchdowns

Key Defensive Players

• Devin Lloyd: 54 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 passes defended
• Princely Umanmielen: 3 sacks, 5 tackles for loss
• Jaelan Phillips: 2.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss
• Bobby Okereke: 1 interception, 5 passes defended

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