Tonight’s kickoff: 5:25 p.m., NFL Network. Records: New Orleans 3-4, 0-4 road. Carolina 3-4-1, 2-2 home. Line: Saints by 3. O/U: 49 1/2

Synopsis: New Orleans comes off a big victory over Green Bay to set up this “showdown” for the NFC South lead. Carolina limps in after a loss at home to Seattle but gets to face a Saints team that allows an average of 31.3 points on the road. New Orleans’ offense loves to throw, but Carolina is No. 18 vs. the pass. On the other side of the ball, erratic Panthers QB Cam Newton should be able to move his team vs. the NFL’s worst run defense. Pick: Panthers 27-24.

Dan Caeser, St. Louis Post-Dispatch