The Carolina Panthers are looking to improve to 3-0 as they host the win-less New Orleans Saints on Sunday, and Carolina catches a break with Drew Brees expected to sit this one out. The Saints looked terrible last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and I can't see them having much success on the road with backup quarterback Luke McCown.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Panthers Defense - Only the New York Jets have allowed fewer points than Carolina, with the Panthers allowing opponents to average just 13 points through their first two games. The completely shut down the Texans running game last week, limiting Houston to just 61 yards on 23 carries.

2. Penalties - The Saints were penalized 10 times for 115 yards in the loss to Tampa last week, and they rank near the top of the NFL with 17 penalties in their first two games.

3. X-Factor - The Panthers have failed to reach the total in six of their last seven home games, and 10 of their last 11 versus divisional opponents.


Selection: This is a play on the Saints@Panthers to go UNDER the total (10*)