Saints at Panthers: How to watch, odds, expert picks with Saints favored, Carr nearing return

A winless October saw the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers plummet to the bottom of the NFC South. The Saints are hoping a healthy Derek Carr provides a spark to turn around the season. Carolina is figuring out its quarterback situation while trading talent before the deadline. New Orleans is favored by nearly a touchdown on the road in Week 9, having already defeated the Panthers 47-10 in Week 1.

Having Carr healthy is critical for the Saints. New Orleans mustered only one garbage-time offensive touchdown without the veteran the past two weeks — a pair of ugly defeats with rookie Spencer Rattler at quarterback.

Nearly last in every defensive metric and last in passing yards per play, Carolina struggles to stop any offense. And with 22 players appearing on last week’s injury report, the Panthers are banged up on both sides of the ball. Carr guided New Orleans to back-to-back 40-point outings to open the season. The hope is Carr can ignite a sluggish Saints offense with his return.

Missing for Carolina during Week 8 was quarterback Andy Dalton. Previously benched for poor play, Bryce Young started in Dalton’s place and struggled after an opening-drive score. Dalton injured his thumb in a car accident and could return for Week 9. Young is expected to start this game, but he’ll be without starting wideout Diontae Johnson, who was dealt to Baltimore.

Carolina’s gameplan will lean on lead back Chuba Hubbard. Through uncertainty in the passing game, Hubbard is fifth in rushing yards this season (563) at a notable 5.0 yards per carry. Against a Saints defense last in the NFL and 31st in rushing yards per play, Hubbard should get plenty of work.