NFL picks and predictions, Saints vs. Panthers 2015: Carolina should roll at home

The New Orleans Saints are 0-2 and staring at another potentially playoff-less season, but that might not be the most problematic takeaway from their first two games. Quarterback Drew Brees suffered a shoulder injury against the Buccaneers in Week 2, and although he feels confident he'll play he's still considered day-to-day. So it's not surprising that the experts are heavily favoring the Panthers at home on Sunday.

Even with Brees under center, it's hard to think the Saints could beat Carolina on the road based on their disappointing performance through two weeks. Only three teams have been outscored by more points than the Saints (-19) this season. The defense has been a sieve, allowing 6.6 yards per play (third-worst in the NFL), and the Jimmy Graham-less offense has scored just four touchdowns. If Brees can't go on Sunday, the Saints will likely turn to backup Luke McCown, who hasn't started an NFL game since Sept. 18, 2011 with the Jaguars.

With a win Sunday, the Panthers would be 3-0 for the first time since 2003 -- a season that ended with a trip to the Super Bowl -- and would be one win shy of matching the franchise's longest win streak (set in 2013). The experts are pretty confident that's gonna happen, too.