Carolina is not going to have an easy time stopping the run today, even though the Saints have deactivated running back Pierre Thomas. Panthers defensive tackles Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu were both deactivated, leaving Carolina short-handed against the run.

DT Nick Hayden, a 2008 sixth-round pick from Wisconsin, should make his first NFL start for the Panthers.

To add injury to insult, the Lions lost both starting defensive ends to injuries in Sunday’s 38-14 defeat to the Jaguars.