Carolina 32, New Orleans 21

1 2 3 4 T
CAR (5-7) 13 13 0 6 32
NOR (4-8) 0 7 7 7 21

Final

1:00 PM ET
December 5, 2004

SCOUTING REPORT
When going gets tough, Panthers get GoingsBoth the Panthers and Saints have an outside shot at sneaking into the playoffs at 9-7, but neither team can afford another loss, making Sunday a crucial inter-division matchup.

Carolina comes in riding the wave of a three-game winning streak thanks in large part to a revitalized running attack led by Nick Goings. New Orleans, on the other hand, has dropped two straight and it must bounce back from last weekend's frustrating fourth quarter collapse at the Georgia Dome if it hopes to keep pace in the standings.

It's make-or-break time for two of the leagues' most disappointing teams. Will the Panthers continue their late-season run or will QB Aaron Brooks lead the Saints to a much-needed victory at home?

 · Full Scouting Report
Matchup
 W-LPFPAHOMEROADDIVCONF
CAR7-93553393-54-43-36-6
NOR8-83484053-55-33-36-6
· Complete Standings
Individual Leaders
Carolina Passing
 CMP%YDSTDINT
Delhom...57.11885814
Moore50.06301
New Orleans Passing
 CMP%YDSTDINT
Brees68.12746229
Carolina Rushing
 CARYDSAVGTD
Willia...1819825.47
Stewar...1105094.66
New Orleans Rushing
 CARYDSAVGTD
Thomas1055845.65
Bell1155144.54
Carolina Receiving
 RECYDSAVGTD
Smith4559913.34
Muhamm...3333710.20
New Orleans Receiving
 RECYDSAVGTD
Colsto...4468715.66
Hender...3152116.81
Full Player Stats: Carolina | New Orleans
TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSETEAMPER GAME AVERAGE
Total YardsCAR
 
 327.0
NOR
 
 325.0
Yards PassingCAR
 
 227.7
NOR
 
 224.2
Yards RushingCAR
 
 98.9
NOR
 
 100.4
TEAM DEFENSETEAMPER GAME AVERAGE
Yards AllowedCAR
 
 336.4
NOR
 
 383.8
Pass Yds AllowedCAR
 
 217.4
NOR
 
 243.0
Rush Yds AllowedCAR
 
 119.0
NOR
 
 140.8
HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Series tied 4-4
Oct 26, 2003CAR 23, NOR 20
Oct 5, 2003CAR 19, @NOR 13
Dec 29, 2002CAR 10, NOR 6
Nov 10, 2002CAR 24, @NOR 34
Dec 2, 2001CAR 23, NOR 27
Oct 14, 2001CAR 25, @NOR 27

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NFL Scores

Sunday, December 5th 2004
Minnesota 14 Final
Chicago 24
New England 42 Final
Cleveland 15
Arizona 12 Final
Detroit 26
Tennessee 24 Final
Indianapolis 51
San Francisco 6 Final
St. Louis 16
Buffalo 42 Final
Miami 32
Carolina 32 Final
New Orleans 21
Houston 7 Final
NY Jets 29
Atlanta 0 Final
Tampa Bay 27
Cincinnati 27 Final
Baltimore 26
Kansas City 34 Final
Oakland 27
Denver 17 Final
San Diego 20
Green Bay 17 Final
Philadelphia 47
NY Giants 7 Final
Washington 31
Pittsburgh 17 Final
Jacksonville 16
Monday, December 6th 2004
Dallas 43 Final
Seattle 39