Saints Week 1 Preview

Travis Himel • September 7, 2024

Week 1 Saints vs Panthers

   Saints fans… The 2024-25 season is officially underway! Fans seem to be split on expectations this year. Some believe we could go far as underdogs while others can’t seem to find hope. Nonetheless, Saints fans will always agree on one thing. We want to bring home a Lombardi trophy! How likely is that this year? We can only wait and see. Here’s what you can expect from the Black & Gold:


 This Week’s Matchup:

   In Week 1 this year we have a home opener against our division opponent, the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers finished last season with an underwhelming 2-15 record. They also finished their season on a 3 game losing streak. Last year the Panthers went 0-9 on the road. However, the Panthers brought in a new head coach to hopefully fix many of their offensive issues from last year. Three Offensive Linemen will get their debut start for the Panthers this Sunday. Alongside them will be two new Wide Receivers, Rookie Xavier Legette and new acquisition Diontae Johnson. QB Bryce Young is looking to have a much better campaign this year after a disappointing rookie season. 


 Series History:

   In the last 10 seasons, the Saints are 12-8 against the Carolina Panthers. A slightly closer series than I would like to see. The Panthers were swept by the Saints last year after sweeping the series the previous season. Each team is looking to get off to a hot start for the 2024-25 season.


 Your Saints:

   The Saints are coming off of a fairly good preseason as far as player development and installing a new system under new Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiac. I expect a bigger year from QB Derek Carr and RB Alvin Kamara. Expect Chris Olave to rack up another 1,000 yard season while Rashid Shaheed looks to get over the 1,000 receiving yard threshold. This Saints defense has me excited! This could statistically be one of the best Saints defenses we’ve ever seen.

   When healthy, the Saints defensive front can make a big impact in the run game while defensive Captain Demario Davis looks to build upon a Hall of Fame worthy career. The defensive back group is one of the best in the NFL on paper. Rookie Kool-Aid Mckinstry looks to learn from the veterans and step right in to fill his role in this defense after the Saints traded up in the 2nd round to draft him. The Saints could have a successful season as long as the offense can get down the field and score when called upon. If the offense and defense can feed off of each other, we could end with a very good record. The NFC South is up for grabs along with hosting a playoff game. We all know there’s no louder stadium than a playoff game in the Dome!


 Injuries:

   The Saints expect to start the season very healthy with very few players hurt. A.T Perry, Willie Gay, and Nick Saldiveri are questionable while Khalen Saunders is listed as out for this game.

Prediction:

   I predict the Saints to get off to a good start with the defense picking up where they left off last year. The Panthers will have little time to run their offense and will have trouble getting downfield. I predict the Saints to start the season 1-0 with a score of 24-9!

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Now you Kneaux!


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Pelicans @ Nuggets Takeaways

By Chrissy Smith • October 30, 2025
Team Stats (Pelicans at Nuggets) Final Score: 88-122 Rebounds: 36-57 Assists: 17-40 Steals: 9-5 Blocks: 3-5 Turnovers: 12-14 Stat Leaders Scoring Leaders: Jeremiah Fears, 21; Nikola Jokić, 21 Rebound Leaders: Trey Murphy III, 7; Nikola Jokić, 12 Assist Leaders: Jeremiah Fears, 6; Nikola Jokić, 10 My Player of the Game: Jeremiah Fears Chrissy's Key Takeaways * The starters for this game were Fears, Murphy III, Jones, Zion, and Deandre Jordan. So that was different, and it didn't work at all. * With most of the third quarter over, Zion had five total points in the game. He finished with 11. * The Nuggets went on a 32-4 run in the third quarter. The Pelicans came out very slow to start off the third. * New Orleans went 7-of-33 from the three-point line. * Nikola Jokić had a triple-double. The Pelicans had no answer for him all night. * Do the Pelicans know that the season has started because the majority of the guys out there look like they still think they're playing Summer League. * The problem with this team isn't the talent because they have that. So what's the problem? Coaching, effort, etc.? This has to be fixed ASAP. Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.

Celtics @ Pelicans Takeaways

By Chrissy Smith • October 28, 2025
Team Stats (Celtics at Pelicans) Final Score: 122-90 Rebounds: 54-35 Assists: 25-17 Steals: 5-7 Blocks: 7-0 Turnovers: 11-13 Stat Leaders Scoring Leaders: Anfernee Simons, 25; Jordan Poole, 22 Rebound Leaders: Neemias Queta, 11; Yves Miss, 7 Assist Leaders: Payton Prichard, 8; Trey Murphy, III, 5 My Player of the Game: Jordan Poole Chrissy's Key Takeaways * The first two losses of the season were tough but at least the team looked good. In this game, no one looked fired up to compete except Jordan Poole and Jose Alvarado. * Zion did not play because he's been spending all offseason getting in shape just so he could rest after two games. Makes no sense to me. * Trey Murphy and Herb Jones need to find their spark and stride. These guys have been putting in a ton of work in the offseason but it isn't showing right now. * Willie Green has got to be on a short leash because this 0-3 start feels like the team is just picking up where they left off except this time they're healthy and have all the momentum in the world. * The next three games for the Pelicans will be on the road against Denver, Clippers, and Thunder . Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.
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