Panthers' passing attack faces Saints pass defense ranked 28th

Carolina and New Orleans, both 3-5, meet Sunday, November 15, at 1 p.m. ET in the Superdome, where the Panthers' fourth-ranked passing offense faces the Saints' 28th-ranked pass defense.

The Panthers and Saints are first and second in the NFC South, and Carolina throws for 280.4 yards a game. New Orleans allows 255.6 through the air and ranks 28th against the pass by efficiency, so Bryce Young should find open receivers.

The pocket is the problem. Carolina's line gives up 3.3 sacks a game, 29th in the league, while the Saints rank sixth with 3.0 a game. Chase Young leads that rush with 8.5 sacks.

The pressure runs one way. The Panthers have the fewest sacks in the NFL at 1.4 a game, which leaves Tyler Shough time to throw against a defense that ranks 20th against the pass by efficiency.

Both run defenses give ground: Carolina allows 133.4 rushing yards a game, and New Orleans sits 29th at 133.9. Chuba Hubbard has 619 rushing yards and five touchdowns for the Panthers.

Bryce Young has thrown for 2,196 yards and 16 touchdowns in eight starts. His top target, Tetairoa McMillan, has 46 catches for 625 yards.

Shough has 14 touchdown passes and leads the Saints in rushing with 162 yards. Chris Olave carries the passing game with 734 receiving yards on 56 catches.

New Orleans is without four players. Center Erik McCoy and tackle Taliese Fuaga (knee) are out, as are running back CJ Donaldson (shoulder) and defensive tackle Christen Miller (knee). Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. is questionable with a shin injury.

Carolina is missing linebacker Bobby Okereke, out with a foot injury. Linebacker Jaelan Phillips and cornerback Will Lee III (hamstring) are questionable.

The Panthers arrive off losses to Denver, Green Bay and Tampa Bay, the worst a 43-13 defeat at home to the Buccaneers. The Saints won their last game, 23-22 over Cleveland, and sportsbooks' prices give them a 56% chance to win.