New Orleans 21, Carolina 18

1 2 3 4 T
NOR (8-8) 7 7 7 0 21
CAR (7-9) 3 0 7 8 18

Final

1:00 PM ET
January 2, 2005

SCOUTING REPORT
Saints, Panthers hoping for win and a prayerFew games in Week 17 have as many playoff implications as the one between the Saints and Panthers. Both the Saints, who carry a three-game winning streak into the contest, and the Panthers, who are winners of six of their last seven, need a win and some help in order to earn the NFC's second and final wild-card berth.

In order to pull off the road upset, RB Deuce McAllister must run wild against the much-improved Panther run defense Conversely, Carolina is banking on one of the hottest pitch-and-catch tandems in the NFL – QB Jake Delhomme-to-WR Muhsin Muhammad &150; to lead it into the postseason.

 · Full Scouting Report
Matchup
 W-LPFPAHOMEROADDIVCONF
NOR8-83484053-55-33-36-6
CAR7-93553393-54-43-36-6
· Complete Standings
Individual Leaders
New Orleans Passing
 CMP%YDSTDINT
Brees68.12746229
Carolina Passing
 CMP%YDSTDINT
Delhom...57.11885814
Moore50.06301
New Orleans Rushing
 CARYDSAVGTD
Thomas1055845.65
Bell1155144.54
Carolina Rushing
 CARYDSAVGTD
Willia...1819825.47
Stewar...1105094.66
New Orleans Receiving
 RECYDSAVGTD
Colsto...4468715.66
Hender...3152116.81
Carolina Receiving
 RECYDSAVGTD
Smith4559913.34
Muhamm...3333710.20
Full Player Stats: New Orleans | Carolina
TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSETEAMPER GAME AVERAGE
Total YardsNOR
 
 325.0
CAR
 
 327.0
Yards PassingNOR
 
 224.2
CAR
 
 227.7
Yards RushingNOR
 
 100.4
CAR
 
 98.9
TEAM DEFENSETEAMPER GAME AVERAGE
Yards AllowedNOR
 
 383.8
CAR
 
 336.4
Pass Yds AllowedNOR
 
 243.0
CAR
 
 217.4
Rush Yds AllowedNOR
 
 140.8
CAR
 
 119.0
HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Series tied 4-4
Dec 5, 2004NOR 21, @CAR 32
Oct 26, 2003NOR 20, @CAR 23
Oct 5, 2003NOR 13, CAR 19
Dec 29, 2002NOR 6, @CAR 10
Nov 10, 2002NOR 34, CAR 24
Dec 2, 2001NOR 27, @CAR 23
Oct 14, 2001NOR 27, CAR 25

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NFL Scores

Sunday, January 2nd 2004
Pittsburgh 29 Final
Buffalo 24
Green Bay 31 Final
Chicago 14
Detroit 19 Final
Tennessee 24
NY Jets 29 Final
St. Louis 32 OT
San Francisco 7 Final
New England 21
Cincinnati 38 Final
Philadelphia 10
Minnesota 18 Final
Washington 21
New Orleans 21 Final
Carolina 18
Miami 23 Final
Baltimore 30
Cleveland 22 Final
Houston 14
Tampa Bay 7 Final
Arizona 12
Atlanta 26 Final
Seattle 28
Indianapolis 14 Final
Denver 33
Jacksonville 13 Final
Oakland 6
Kansas City 17 Final
San Diego 24
Dallas 24 Final
NY Giants 28