The 10-4 New Orleans Saints face their biggest challenge and most important games of the season Sunday preparing to do battle with the 10-4 Carolina Panthers on the road. Both teams are tied for the NFC South lead and are vying for the crown along with the all-important No. 2 seed for home field advantage in the upcoming playoffs. The Saints have made some big moves this week, first releasing place kicker Garrett Hartley, signing 36-year-old Shayne Graham so the Saints will see how the veteran performs under the immense pressure of Sunday's crucial contest with the Panthers. Saints' head coach Sean Payton after pulling starting left tackle Charles Brown in last week's disappointing 27-16 road loss to the St. Louis Rams has announced that rookie third-round draft choice Terron Armstead, out of Arkansas-Pinebluff, will get his first NFL start attempting to protect Drew Brees' blind side against the Panthers No. 2 rated defense in Sunday's 12 o'clock kick off. The Saints' offense, which struggled last week falling behind 14-0early to the Rams will have to find a way to turn around that trend as they try to improve on their 3-4 road record this season. The Black & Gold need to put that memory in their rear view mirror going against the tough Panthers. The Saints had their number two weeks ago earning a convincing 31-13 key victory in the friendly confines of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, but this time around it's different, playing on the road in an extremely crucial game. Brees and his offensive teammates will have to find a way to find a quick start to keep the Saints in the game, while defensive team leader linebacker Curtis Lofton will have to keep his teammates energized to slow down Cam Newton and the likes of receivers Steve Smith, former LSU wide out Brandon LaFell and tight end Greg Olsen. Newton is completing 62.3 percent of his passes with 3,049 yards accounting for 21 TD passes with 11 interceptions. Newton is also the Panthers' second-leading rusher with 507 yards and six rushing scores, averaging 5.3 yards per rush. Smith has hauled in 63 catches for 701 yards with four TDs, while Olsen has gained a team-high 739 receiving yards with five scores. LaFell enters Sunday's game with 48 receptions totaling 614 yards with 5 touchdowns.
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