CHARLOTTE – The Panthers kick off three straight weeks of home games with their first divisional opponent this week.
The New Orleans Saints (1-1) travel to Charlotte for Carolina's NFC South opener this Sunday at 1 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium.
The Saints started the year with two NFC South matchups. They first came back to beat the Falcons in Atlanta, and they nearly handed Tom Brady his fifth regular-season loss to New Orleans since he joined the Buccaneers in 2020.
But Brady and Tampa Bay dominated the fourth quarter, leaving New Orleans with a 20-10 win over the Saints. Bucs Mike Evans received a one-game suspension after an altercation with Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who was disqualified during the matchup but didn't receive a suspension for his role in the scuffle.
One of Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson's takeaways from watching the Saints in their loss to Tampa Bay last Sunday was simple:
"Don't fight."
Here's what to know about the Saints:
JAMEIS WINSTON OFF TO AN UP-AND-DOWN START; REPORTEDLY PLAYING THROUGH INJURIES
Saints quarterback Jameis Winston has yet to piece together a complete performance through the Saints' first two games.
He has completed 64.9 percent of his passes (48-of-74) for 505 yards, which puts him toward the middle of the league heading into Week 3, but he's thrown three interceptions (tied for fourth-most in the NFL) against three passing touchdowns.
Winston has also taken 10 sacks, second-most in the league behind only Cincinnati's Joe Burrow. Winston is also reportedly playing through a back injury.
According to reports, Winston had four fractures in his back leading up to the Week 2 matchup with Tampa Bay, and he was listed as questionable on the Saints' final injury report before the game. He's coming off multiple recent injuries, when he tore the ACL and damaged the MCL in his left leg seven games into last year, and sprained his right foot in the preseason.
The Saints have Andy Dalton behind Winston should he be unable to play. But Winston seemed to downplay his reported back injury to New Orleans media after the Buccaneers loss on Sunday.
"Everyone in that locker room was playing with some type of banged-up something," he said. "But like I said, what's important is offensively I can do a better job of executing."
SAINTS' OFFENSE IS PRONE TO TURNOVERS, MIXED RESULTS ON THIRD DOWN
Winston's tendency to throw interceptions, coupled with some ball security issues, have the Saints tied with the Los Angeles Rams for the league's most turnovers lost heading into Week 3.
New Orleans has lost the ball six times in two games, with three lost fumbles (the most in the NFL, tied with Atlanta and Tennessee) and Winston's three interceptions (tied with Washington, Las Vegas, and Minnesota for fourth-most in the league).
The Saints have watched nearly a quarter of their drives (24 percent) end in a takeaway through the season's first two games, the third-most in the league.
New Orleans' turnover tendencies could bode well for the Panthers, the only team in the NFL yet to record a takeaway this year.
The Saints have also struggled to stay on the field, ranked 24th in the league with a 30.8 percent conversion rate on third down. They've gone 8-of-26 on third down this year, with two back-to-back performances converting 4-of-13 attempts against both the Falcons and Buccaneers.
NEW ORLEANS DEFENSE IS GENERALLY SOLID
The Saints' defense has been a brighter spot as their offense looks to build more consistency.
They've always been stead up from with Cameron Jordan, and linebackers Pete Werner and Demario Davis have been anchors this year. Werner leads the Saints with 21 total tackles, a forced fumble, and one of New Orleans' five tackles for loss through the first two weeks, while Davis has come up with 12 tackles, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery.
The defense hasn't come up with an interception yet, but they have forced three fumbles and recovered two. The Saints have totaled just two sacks and five tackles for loss on the season.
Safety Marcus Maye exited the Buccaneers game with a wrist injury. He is the team's second-leading tackler with 13 on the season and a forced fumble. But New Orleans should have Lattimore, the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback, available for the Panthers game despite his scuffle the Bucs.
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)
