The other team tied with the New Orleans Saints for first place is the Panthers, which is why Sunday is so important. Whoever wins will take the lead in first place, and they will also create some space from the rest of the teams, depending on the other results. This game could be the deciding factor for whoever wins the division, and the Saints have a real chance of making that happen. 

At the trade deadline, the Saints only made one move, sending Davon Godchaux to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a future 6th-round pick. It's a move that would honestly make this team better because now Khristian Boyd will take over the majority of snaps at nose tackle, and he has impressed all season. 

Like any game, the Saints have a few factors that they can take advantage of, and here are two that stand out. 

The Saints ran the ball better last week against the Browns, and it was because of adding Audric Estime back to the roster and Cleveland's struggling run defense. Carolina’s run defense is also near the bottom of the league, and the Saints will likely be getting Travis Etienne back this week. We don't know how the snaps will be split, but with how much of a different role Estime brings to the offense, he should have a significant role with Etienne/Alvin Kamara. 

This has potential to be New Orleans' best rushing performance of the year. And it will certainly be needed in this game and will be paramount if the Saints want to continue their pursuit of the playoffs.

Next is the Saints’ pass. Chase Young and Carl Granders are both near the top of the NFL in sacks, and although the pressure rate hasn't been great for this team, they are getting to the QB. The Panthers have had offensive line issues all season, so there’s potential that New Orleans can get to Bryce Young throughout this game. 

If that can happen, it would take significant pressure away from the Saints’ struggling DB group and control this game if New Orleans can get ahead early. The different phases of defense go hand-in-hand, but it all starts in the trenches. If the Saints can get to Bryce Young, everything else will work itself out. And that’s one of the biggest swing factors in this game against the Panthers.