Saints at Panthers
THE STORY: Only two quarterbacks have passed for more yards through four games than Carolina Panthers rookie Cam Newton, but this year's No. 1 draft pick will get a close look at one of them Sunday when the Panthers host Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in an NFC South matchup. It's a meeting of the top two offenses in the NFC in terms of total yards, though the Panthers have turned their prolific output into only 22.3 points per game (17th in the NFL) while the Saints average 31.8 points (fifth in the NFL). The Saints swept two meetings last year, winning 16-14 at home and 34-3 in Charlotte.
TV: FOX, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: New Orleans -6.5, O/U 51
ABOUT THE SAINTS (3-1): The offense is still clipping along in New Orleans, as has become expected. Brees has found a new favorite target in Jimmy Graham, who leads NFL tight ends with 367 receiving yards and has seven touchdowns in his past seven games. The Saints haven't missed RB Reggie Bush, with newcomer Darren Sproles fitting nicely into his former role. Sproles is the only player in the NFL with a rushing, receiving and return touchdown, and he leads the NFL with 11 catches on third down. The defense has left something to be desired but put on a strong performance last week, holding the Jaguars to 274 total yards and 10 points.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (1-3): With Newton leading the offense, Carolina has at least become competitive – all of its games have been decided by seven points or less – but the Panthers are still trying to find a way to win close games. Newton has found a crutch in veteran WR Steve Smith, who leads the NFC with 530 receiving yards, including 181 yards on eight catches last week. Smith has topped 150 yards in three of four games. Carolina's defense has proven susceptible to the run, ranking 31st in the league with 143.8 yards allowed per game, but the Panthers have been strong against the pass, which could bode well against Brees and the Saints.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Brees has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 31 consecutive games, the third-longest streak in NFL history. Johnny Unitas (47) and Brett Favre (36) hold the only longer streaks.
2. Brees has posted 20 or more completions in an NFL-record 24 consecutive games.
3. Newton is the first player in NFL history with at least four passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns in his first four games.