This NFC Team Has A Great Shot At Winning Week 1

The New Orleans Saints aren’t seen by many analysts as a Super Bowl contender in 2024 following a 9-8 record last season that saw the team slightly miss the postseason. Actually, more people expect the team to regress due to the team’s old and declining roster and the unpopular Dennis Allen still coaching on the sidelines.

Regardless of how the Saints are viewed, there’s no doubt they have one of the best chances at starting this season 1-0. Here is why the New Orleans Saints will beat the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, September 8th, 2024.

First: A Look At The Saints 2023 Offense

Last season the Saints offense had high expectations after the addition of former Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr. Unfortunately, the offense did not leap like many thought it would. New Orleans improved its total offense from the year before but was around the middle of the league in total offense.

New Orleans scored 30 or more points just three times, all against teams that missed the playoffs. The team was also 3-6 in one-score games, including a close 18-17 loss to the Packers early in the season. That loss, decided by a missed field goal, eventually cost the Saints a playoff spot.

Now: The Saints' Offense Will Improve With Klint Kubiak

With many fans calling for longtime coordinator Pete Carmichael to be fired, the Saints followed through and instead hired 49ers assistant Klint Kubiak. Kubiak was the Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator in 2021, which saw quarterback Kirk Cousins have the best season of his career. He will help New Orleans get the most out of Derek Carr.

The Panthers Have A Lot Of Work To Do

Coming off a 2-15 disaster of a season and a lot of question marks, it will be a challenging season for the Carolina Panthers. While the team addressed its biggest needs this off-season—wide receiver and offensive line—it’ll be interesting to see if those moves will lead to an overall improvement.

Adding Diontae Johnson and first-round pick Xavier Legette will give Bryce Young some weapons, which will make him more comfortable in the offense. Up front, the team spent more money than any other team to protect their franchise quarterback.

Carolina’s Underrated Defense

Meanwhile the Panthers defense might not be the best in the league but it has some key pieces to it. Despite losing Brian Burns, the team still has Derrick Brown at nose tackle and Jaycee Horn at cornerback, who are both great players.

Carolina’s defense also held teams under 22 points in eight games, including both wins in 2023. If their defense plays well, the team has a good chance of winning if the offense improves.

Conclusion:

The reason that New Orleans has the best chance to win is because of experience, roster, and the fact that the Saints were a borderline playoff team while Carolina was the worst squad in the NFL last season. While the Panthers could be a good football team eventually, it’ll take some time which gives New Orleans an advantage going into this matchup.

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