CHARLOTTE — The Panthers have two games left to play this season, and even without the promise of the postseason, they've still got some goals.
While a lot of it has happened organically because of injuries and COVID-19, they're trying to get a look at a number of young players as they evaluate their options for the future.
That's part of the plan for Sunday's game against the Saints, as both teams try to patch together lineups out of unconventional parts.
Here's a look at five things to watch in this Week 17 matchup.
HEARING FROM HENDERSON
Cornerback CJ Henderson's not what you'd call much of a talker. His press conferences are generally very brief, when he has them. But the Panthers have been coaxing him out of his shell a bit, at least on the field.
Defensive coordinator Phil Snow said he's been encouraged with the increased reps Henderson has played over the last month, when injuries have forced a bunch of young players onto the field.
With three cornerbacks on injured reserve and Stephon Gilmore out this week, Henderson is the best of a young lot.
"He has a lot of ability, he's big and he'll tackle. My expectation for him and through the next two games is to become a dominant corner. He has the size and speed, and the athleticism to do that. That's how we see him, and hopefully he can develop, and he is what he wants to be."
The former top-10 pick (the Panthers considered him in 2020 before taking defensive tackle Derrick Brown) is someone they need to produce next year, as well as these next two games.
With Donte Jackson and Gilmore slated to be unrestricted free agents this offseason, the makeup of the Panthers secondary is unknown. But Henderson and Jaycee Horn give them a potential pair of young starters with the physical attributes they want, and the chance to grow.
NOT THE SAME OLD SAINTS
The Saints are realizing what it's like to not have a long-term answer at quarterback. And it hasn't been fun.
With the retirement of Drew Brees (and the injury to subsequent starter Jameis Winston), the Saints have struggled to move the ball.
Their offense averages 21.1 points per game and 301.9 yards per game. Both represent the low-water marks of the Sean Payton Era (he was hired in 2006).
From 2006-2020, they averaged 28.1 points per game, and 398.6 yards per game.
They are getting quarterbacks Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian back from the COVID-19 list this week, after rookie Ian Book had to start Monday night's 20-3 loss to the Dolphins. Still, it's a far cry from the offensive excellence Saints fans were able to take for granted over the years.
TAKE IT AWAY
This isn't even particular to Sunday's game; the Panthers know as they look to the future, they need to create more turnovers as a defense.
While their recent trend line hasn't been good (they've allowed 27 or more points in five straight games), they remain second in the league in total defense and passing defense. But they're tied for 23rd with 16 takeaways, something they're hoping to change as they grow.
"We are making progress, but it's not where we want," Snow said. "To be a championship-level defense, we've gotta get more turnovers and create more plays that change the game, and not give them up."
STAYING WELL
Like most of the country, COVID-19 has swept through the Panthers in the last few weeks. While they're hoping to get some players back later on Saturday, they've been extremely short-handed on defense in particular.
The Panthers had to practice on separate fields this week (offense and defense not working together) because of the lack of numbers.
"That's just the world we live in today. We all know COVID is hitting us hard right now," linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. said. "So the next man has to be prepared to step up. And when you're off the field, you've just got to stay as safe as possible so you can avoid missing time. That's all I've been doing, trying to avoid missing time. I've been staying masked up, not even just to play on the field, just for the safety of myself and my family. I just had my young daughter. That's who I think about the most when I'm out and around my teammates. I keep my mask on, and I don't want to catch anything and go back home to her."
Carter said he wasn't much of a social creature anyway, but has made it a priority to keep the circle close lately.
"I'm pretty much a homebody," he said. "I don't spend too much time going out clubbing, things like that. I'm not sure what other guys are doing. But I'm pretty much a guy that comes to the facility, comes to work, and I go right back home. Study some film, play some video games, and that's pretty much all I do. I don't spend much time out giving myself an opportunity to get COVID. I try to stay as safe as possible."
PLAYING SPOILER
The Saints would need to win out and get some help to make the playoffs, as they're currently in the 10th spot in the NFC in hopes of making the seven-team postseason bracket.
At 7-8, they're a game back of the 49ers and Eagles in the final two spots.
The Panthers beat them in Week 2 (when the Saints were also short-handed on the field and among the coaching staff because of COVID), and the Panthers haven't swept them since 2015, when they went 15-1 in Cam Newton's MVP season.
The Saints have won eight of the last 10 meetings between the teams.
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The Panthers trail the all-time series against the Saints, 27-29. Carolina has played New Orleans more than any other team in its history.
Carolina Panther Luke Kuechly (59) keeps his eyes on New Orleans Saint quarterback Drew Brees at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers' Rod Smart (32) runs past cheering teammates for a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Oct. 5, 2003. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) makes a reception in the red zone against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in New Orleans, LA.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in New Orleans, LA.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints in Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 22, 2013.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Bank of America Stadium.
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams in action during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panther Curtis Samuel (10) evades New Orleans Saints Marcus Williams at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome in New Orleans, LA.
New Orleans Saints defenders Roman Harper (41) and Jason David (42) try to defend Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) in the second half of their NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008. Smith caught the long pass to keep the Panthers' game-winning drive alive as they defeated the Saints 33-31. (AP Photo/Chris Martinez)
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints in Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees (9) looks to pass as Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers against the New Orleans Saints during the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) scrambles as New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant (94) pursues during the second half of the Panthers' 30-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
The Carolina Panthers play against the Miami Dolphins during week ten of the regular season on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is sacked by Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints in Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, October 30, 2014 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, December 6, 2015.
New Orleans Saints kicker Olindo Mare right, tries to grab the ball as Steve Weatherford (7) scrambles with Carolina Panthers Richard Marshall after the kick was blocked in the second half of their football game in the Superdome in New Orleans Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. The Panthers won 16-13.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith (89) gets by New Orleans Saints cornerback Fred Thomas on his way to a 15-yard, third-quarter touchdown during an NFL football game in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005. The Panthers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Paul Rutherford)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, bottom, lies on the field after being sacked by Carolina Panthers defender Richard Marshall (31) in the second half of their NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Mark Fields (58) celebrates sacking New Orleans Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks (2), center, on ground (partially obscured), at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002. The Panthers defeated the Saints, 10-6. On ground at right is Saints' Spencer Folau.(AP Photo/Doug Keese)
Carolina Panthers' Ken Lucas, left, intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints' Marques Colston, right, during the third quarter of the Panthers' 30-7 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore (3) scrambles during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers kicker John Kasay, center, is surrounded by his teammates after his field goal as time expired in an NFL football game in the Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. The Panthers won 16-13. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The celebration begins as Carolina Panthers' Todd Sauerbrun (10) John Kasay (4) and Kris Mangum (86) enjoy their 23-20 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003, in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Kasay kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime. Leave the field for the Saints is Jay Bellamy (20). Holding for Kasay was punter Todd Souerbrun (10). (AP Photo/Andrew Cohoon)
New Orleans Saints defenders Johnathan Sullivan, left, and Brian Young (66) pursue Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) during the first half of an NFL football game at LSU's Tiger Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005, in Baton Rouge, La. The Panthers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
