NFL 2018-19 Week 15 MNF Review: Saints Edge Panthers & Earn Inside Track to Home Field Advantage

Monday Night Football 

New Orleans Saints (11-2)

 v.

Carolina Panthers (6-7)

Carolina Panthers 21

New Orleans 12, Carolina 9 - It certainly was not pretty, but the Saints managed to get the job done. In the process, they managed to take advantage of the two consecutive drops on serve of the Rams, and now control their own destiny for home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Also, they happened to knock out the Carolina Panthers, who were 6-2 and looking not only like a legitimate playoff contender, but even seemed a contender to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. But this was their sixth straight defeat, and it was likely their costliest, as they have been effectively eliminated from playoff contention. So, in a road game where they were facing a familiar opponent that had every reason to win, New Orleans managed to secure a win. But the way that they won was a mixed blessing. On the one hand, it shows that they can win in a physical, low-scoring slugfest. However, it also shows that their recent offensive woes have definitely not simply gone away, and it is getting dangerously close to playoff time, which means that they do not have much time to straighten these issues out, to iron out the wrinkles. But give the Saints defense credit, as they came through in the clutch when it was most important. The Saints had a chance to either ice the game very late, or at least to get a field goal and make it very tough for the Panthers to get something going, and needing a touchdown. But they turned the ball over, putting pressure on that New Orleans defense. But they held, to preserve the win, which was definitely needed. Most likely, the Saints will win one of their next two games, which is all that is required of them to clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs, making the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC go through New Orleans for as long as they survive. Right now, that is all that the Saints and their fans could ask for. Not a pretty win, but a good win, nevertheless.  My pick: Accurate