New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers: Week 14 preview

The New Orleans Saints (2-5) visit the Carolina Panthers (3-3) on Sun, Dec 13 · 1:00 PM ET.
The Saints offense ranks 21st in EPA per play (−0.03); the Panthers defense ranks 20th (+0.02 allowed). Biggest Saints edges: 3rd/4th-down conversion rate, sack rate. The Panthers defense holds the edge in explosive play rate, explosive pass rate, yards per dropback.
The Panthers offense ranks 12th in EPA per play (+0.05); the Saints defense ranks 26th (+0.08 allowed). Biggest Panthers edges: early-down EPA, EPA per designed run, explosive pass rate. The Saints defense holds the edge in sack rate.
Luck check: the Saints have been unlucky (−2.4 points per game from kicking and fumble luck).
Pace: projected for about 135 total snaps, 6 more than a typical game.