Carolina Panthers (3-8-1) at New Orleans Saints (5-7)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa

*Keys to the game: With the prolonged struggles of QB Cam Newton and a strong push toward youth on defense, the Panthers would be well served to attack on the ground early. RB Jonathan Stewart may get the start in place of DeAngelo Williams (broken hand), and the Saints’ run defense has been particularly vulnerable since NT Broderick Bunkley was injured. Look for New Orleans to counter with eight men in the box and daring Newton to engage in a shootout.

The Panthers’ defense has slowly unraveled minus the consistent pass rush of DE Greg Hardy. The secondary has been exposed and now coach Ron Rivera is shifting personnel. That’s a recipe for a monster day for Saints QB Drew Brees. New Orleans still wants to establish RB Mark Ingram to set up play-action, which leaves that secondary in a precarious situation with too much man coverage to hold up if the pass rush doesn’t get home.

*Matchup to watch – Panthers secondary vs. Brees: Carolina cut veteran CB Antoine Cason and will slide rookie fifth-round pick Bene Benwikere into his starting job. Practice squad call-up Carrington Byndom is also likely to see snaps, while veteran S Thomas DeCoud is also in danger of losing his starting job to fourth-round rookie Tre Boston.

*Player spotlight – Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin: The rookie caught just two of 10 targets during the first meeting as he was shadowed by veteran CB Keenan Lewis, who has been dealing with a sore knee of late.

*Fast facts: By kickoff time, it will have been 63 days since the Panthers have won a game. … Carolina has led for only 42:41 seconds during its six-game losing streak. It has trailed for 228:47 and been tied for 88:07.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Panthers are technically still in the race, but Newton has regressed badly, including a career-low 10 completions in the first meeting. New Orleans snaps its three-game home losing streak and likely closes the day with division lead with Atlanta traveling to Green Bay on Monday night.

*Our pick: Saints 28-16