The Saints head to Ericsson Stadium in position to sweep this short-lived NFC West rivalry for the first time ever.

Back on opening day at the Superdome (Week 1), Saints CB Tyronne Drakeford returned Panthers KR Michael Bates' fumble on the opening kickoff 20 yards for a score and the New Orleans' defense sacked Panthers QB Steve Beuerlein seven times as Mike Ditka's team kicked off the season with a 19-10 win.

Despite this year's earlier loss, the Panthers still own a 5-4 edge in this short-lived series as these clubs have split their two-game set in three of the previous four seasons, including a year ago when the home team prevailed in each instance.

As for the Sanits' last appearance in Carolina (Week 9 of '98), Beuerlein threw for a pair of scores and RB Fred Lane ran for 101 yards and a touchdown as the then-winless Panthers (0-7) posted their first victory of 1998, 31-17.

The Saints are just 1-3 lifetime on the road in this series dating back to 1995

Numbers: The Saints have allowed 93 points in nine wins (17 or fewer points in 8 of those contestst), 655 points in 21 losses (30 or more points in 15 of those contests) dating back to '98. In their last 111 regular-season games (1993-99), the Saints have given up 31 returns for touchdowns (19 interceptions, 6 fumble recoveries, 6 punt returns). They have committed two or more turnovers in five straight games. They have forced two or more turnovers in four straight games. The Saints have been limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing in three straight games. The Saints have allowed 2 or more touchdown passes in 6 straight games.

Panthers QB Steve Beuerlein has thrown 2 or more touchdown passes in 6 straight games. The Panthers have scored 31 or more points in 7 of their last 12 contests. The Panthers have scored 230 points in 7 wins, 146 points in 8 losses in '99. They have committed 104 turnovers in their last 47 games (18-29) dating back to '97, totaling 24 turnovers in 18 wins and 80 turnovers in 29 losses. They have amassed 41 takeaways in 18 wins, 38 takeaways in 29 losses dating back to '97. The Panthers have allowed 270 points in 18 wins, 825 points in 29 losses dating back to '97. The Panthers have allowed 526 points and 59 offensive touchdowns in 23 home games since 1997 (8-15) after giving up just 97 points and 9 offensive TDs in 9 games (9-0) at Ericsson Stadium (including playoffs) in '96. In 46 regular-season games with Carolina (1996, 1998-99), Panthers OLB Kevin Greene has totaled 39.5 sacks (14.5 in '96, 15.0 in '98, 10.0 in '99).

Things to look for: Thanks to promising QB Jake Delhomme, Mike Ditka's Saints come off their best effort of the season and may have a quarterback of the immediate future. Carolina's playoff hopes took a major detour last week in the snow at Pittsburgh, but look for Panthers' QB Steve Beuerlein and company to rebound in a big way and try to run up the score as they look to sneak into the postseason.

Etc.: The Saints have lost 13 straight road games dating back to '98. The Saints are just 9-30 vs. divisional competition since 1995 (2-5 in '99), this after compiling a 29-19 record (including playoffs) vs. NFC West rivals from 1987-94. Including playoffs, the Panthers are 38-43 in their 81-game history (1995-99), including 20-19 vs. the NFC West. The Panthers are 18-29 in their last 47 games (1997-99) after finishing 12-4 and winning the NFC West title in 1996...Including playoffs, Panthers are 17-15 lifetime at Ericsson Stadium dating back to '97.