7:25 p.m. Central, NFL Network
LINE — Saints by 2 1/2
LAST MEETING Panthers beat Saints 17-13, Dec. 22, 2013
LAST WEEK Saints beat Packers 44-23; Panthers lost to Seahawks 13-9
RANKINGS Saints: offense (2), defense (28); Panthers: offense (24), defense (21)
NOTES Saints Coach Sean Payton is 28-16 in NFC South games since 2006. He’s 7-7 vs. Carolina. … Saints 26-0 under Payton when not committing a turnover. … Quarterback Drew Brees has thrown for three or more touchdowns in three of last five games vs. Carolina. … Running back Mark Ingram ran for 172 yards last week vs. Packers. … Saints have converted NFL-best 47.4 percent of third-down opportunities. … Tight end Jimmy Graham has scored in five consecutive games vs. Panthers. … Wide receiver Brandin Cooks had a rushing and receiving touchdown last week. … Defensive end Cameron Jordan has five sacks in last five games vs. Carolina. … Saints averaging 5.1 yards per carry, second best in NFL. … Saints have allowed eight sacks. … Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is 3-1 vs. Saints in last four starts, and won nine of last 11 starts in home games. … Running back DeAngelo Williams (Wynne) expected to start (ankle sprain). Williams ran for career-high 210 yards vs. Saints on Dec. 30, 2012. … Panthers have allowed 18 sacks. … Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin on pace for team rookie record of 76 receptions, 1,142 yards and 10 touchdowns. … Tight end Greg Olsen has touchdown reception in three consecutive home games. … Safety Roman Harper played eight seasons for Saints. … Linebacker Luke Kuechly had career-high 24 tackles in last meeting.