After a stunning overtime loss at home last week, the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints have a chance to get back on track against a struggling division rival.
But that might not be as easy as it sounds, because the Carolina Panthers will be in search of their eighth win in their last 10 games against the Saints when they visit the Superdome on Sunday.
The Saints were a 29-yard field goal away from a second consecutive 3-0 start, but Garrett Hartley hooked the chip shot wide left, setting up Atlanta's Matt Bryant for a 46-yard kick that lifted the Falcons to a 27-24 overtime win.
Two days later, New Orleans signed 46-year-old John Carney, who was the Saints' kicker for most of last season. Both Carney and Hartley are on the Saints' 53-man roster.
The kicking game wasn't the only area the Saints struggled in against Atlanta. They were limited to 43 rushing yards, their lowest total since 2007.
The Saints' running game is unstable in part because of injuries, as Reggie Bush is sidelined with a fractured right fibula and Pierre Thomas has been limited in practice with a sprained ankle. Thomas injured the ankle in the fourth quarter against Atlanta but returned in overtime.
Thomas is the Saints' leading rusher (147 yards, 1 TD) and leads the team with 17 receptions. If he can't play Sunday – he is a game-time decision – rookie Chris Ivory or recently signed Ladell Betts probably would be in line to carry most of the load in the backfield.
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees threw for a season-high 365 yards on 30-of-38 passing against the Falcons, but he also threw his first two interceptions of the season.
Saints receiver Lance Moore caught six passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns last week, and he added a 72-yard punt return for a score.
Carolina is 0-3 for the second consecutive year and is trying to avoid the third 0-4 start in the franchise's 16-year history.
The Panthers have won seven of their past nine games against the Saints, including a 23-10 victory in the most recent meeting, though New Orleans rested many of its starters in preparation for the playoffs. In that one, Jonathan Stewart rushed for 125 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown.
Getting the ground game going will be the key for Carolina on Sunday, especially with rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen making only his second NFL start. Clausen threw for 188 yards on 16-of-33 passing in a 20-7 loss to Cincinnati last week. He had an interception and lost two fumbles.
The Saints have been vulnerable against the run, allowing 145 rushing yards per game, the third-highest total in the league. They gave up 202 yards on the ground against the Falcons.
That should translate to good news for DeAngelo Williams and Stewart, who have combined for only 248 rushing yards and one touchdown through three games after totaling 2,250 yards and 17 scores on the ground last season.