CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers have lost four straight games and are depending on the creaky body of a 44-year-old quarterback ahead of their high-priced offseason pickup.
The New Orleans Saints have lost two straight thanks to a slew of turnovers and a porous defense.
Yet despite their woes and identical 4-6 records, they enter Sunday's game still in playoff contention -- and a loss away from possible oblivion.
"It's crucial right now," Panthers running back DeShaun Foster said. "Both teams can't afford another loss."
"There's no room for error," said Saints quarterback Drew Brees said.
That both teams still have hope is more a testament to playing in the weak NFC South and a top-heavy conference. Neither team has shown it's of playoff caliber for several weeks.
The New Orleans Saints have lost two straight thanks to a slew of turnovers and a porous defense.
Yet despite their woes and identical 4-6 records, they enter Sunday's game still in playoff contention -- and a loss away from possible oblivion.
"It's crucial right now," Panthers running back DeShaun Foster said. "Both teams can't afford another loss."
"There's no room for error," said Saints quarterback Drew Brees said.
That both teams still have hope is more a testament to playing in the weak NFC South and a top-heavy conference. Neither team has shown it's of playoff caliber for several weeks.
The Panthers resorted to focusing on the positives of their two late Vinny Testaverde-led touchdown drives Sunday in Green Bay after the Packers built a 28-3 lead. Testaverde was named the starter against New Orleans, but then showed up for practice Saturday with a stiff back and was listed as questionable.
Still, coach John Fox has pinned his hopes on Testaverde -- who is a month older than Saints coach Sean Payton -- ahead of David Carr. Signed to a two-year, $6 million deal in the offseason, Carr is healthy after a back injury and two concussions. But he's been so ineffective the Panthers hope Testaverde can jump-start the league's 28th-ranked offense.
Still, coach John Fox has pinned his hopes on Testaverde -- who is a month older than Saints coach Sean Payton -- ahead of David Carr. Signed to a two-year, $6 million deal in the offseason, Carr is healthy after a back injury and two concussions. But he's been so ineffective the Panthers hope Testaverde can jump-start the league's 28th-ranked offense.
"I'm really looking forward to building off of what we did last week," Testaverde said. "I really feel like a light went on. The line has been playing pretty good football. At the skill positions I think I see a spark there, some confidence."
While Testaverde's status is uncertain, the Panthers will get receiver Steve Smith back this week after he missed the Packers' loss with a sore left shin. Trouble is, the Panthers will be at home, where they're 0-4 and have lost six straight dating to last season.
It's been more than a calendar year since Carolina last won in Charlotte, and the skid has led to fan unrest and questions about Fox's job security.
While Testaverde's status is uncertain, the Panthers will get receiver Steve Smith back this week after he missed the Packers' loss with a sore left shin. Trouble is, the Panthers will be at home, where they're 0-4 and have lost six straight dating to last season.
It's been more than a calendar year since Carolina last won in Charlotte, and the skid has led to fan unrest and questions about Fox's job security.
"We need to get a win. I don't care if it's in the parking lot or the North Pole," Panthers guard Mike Wahle said.
The Saints might be the team that can end Carolina's home hex. New Orleans' topsy-turvy season is heading straight down again. Four straight losses were followed by four straight wins and renewed optimism for the team picked to win the division before the season.
Then there was the ugly home loss to previously winless St. Louis. Last week they turned it over three times in a loss to struggling Houston. The Saints rank last in the league with a minus-10 turnover differential.
The Saints might be the team that can end Carolina's home hex. New Orleans' topsy-turvy season is heading straight down again. Four straight losses were followed by four straight wins and renewed optimism for the team picked to win the division before the season.
Then there was the ugly home loss to previously winless St. Louis. Last week they turned it over three times in a loss to struggling Houston. The Saints rank last in the league with a minus-10 turnover differential.
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