The New Orleans Saints will attempt to overcome their surprising home opening loss to the Redskins when they hook up with NFC South rival Carolina in Charlotte later today (1:00pm ET start time, FOX). New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers Odds have Drew Brees and company listed as -2.5 against the spread road favorites. The Panthers are a +130 moneyline play to knock off the Saints and the game total is set at 51.5 points.

The Saints have enjoyed one of the better home field advantages in football over the past few seasons, but the Redskins and their rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III did not get the memo about falling flat at the Superdome. Griffin sliced up the New Orleans defense in his NFL debut, completing 19-of-26 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns.

Shockingly, Brees, who is considered by most to be one of the league’s top three quarterbacks, came no where near matching the efficient performance of his counterpart. The former Boilermaker connected on less than 50 percent of his passes and he nearly matched his three touchdowns, two of which came late in the fourth quarter, with two picks.

Could today’s assignment be an easier one for New Orleans? Well, the Saints have won four in a row in this series and they are 6-0 straight up and 4-2 against the spread in their last six as a road favorite at Carolina; however, this may be the best Panthers squad anyone has seen in a while.

Operative word being ‘may’ as it certainly has the potential to supersede the franchise’s recent production. The Panthers looked all too familiar last weekend, though, falling to the Bucs in Tampa Bay as a three point road favorite.

Greg Schiano’s revamped defense effectively neutralized Cam Newton and the Carolina offense as the Panthers posted 16 first downs and 301 total yards while Newton tossed two interceptions.

Carolina should find it easier to move the ball today, but in all probability it will need to move it into the end zone with frequency in order to match New Orleans.

Free Pick: Take the Saints -2.5.

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers Giants Odds:

New Orleans Saints -2.5 (-125), Over 51.5 (-110), -150 (Moneyline)

Carolina Panthers +2.5 (+105), Under 51.5 (-110), +130 (Moneyline)

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