CAR
Carolina Panthers
72.1PFM Team Score#30 NFL
Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints: PFM Team Comparison
The New Orleans Saints hold a slight overall advantage over the Carolina Panthers in the current PFM ratings. New Orleans separates itself through the less uncertain coaching staff and the stronger defense.
Current PFM Team Scores
Slight edgeNO
New Orleans Saints
72.7PFM Team Score#29 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the New Orleans Saints Higher
Coaching is a concern for both teams. The current rating gives the New Orleans Saints the smaller problem. Carolina's strongest counterargument is Explosiveness. The Carolina Panthers have the less severe Explosiveness concern; the category still falls below the strength range.
New Orleans also brings the stronger defense. New Orleans adds the less unsettled quarterback situation. The counterargument matters, but it does not erase New Orleans' slight overall advantage.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Carolina vs. New Orleans Across the Core Pillars
The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.
CARCarolina Panthers
NONew Orleans Saints
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Carolina Panthers’ Best Argument
The Explosiveness concern is smaller for Carolina, but it has not disappeared. That is why the overall gap is smaller than the score first suggests. New Orleans still answers with the less uncertain coaching staff and the stronger defense, which keeps the overall judgment in place.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
CAR72.1
Carolina Panthers 72.1NO72.7
New Orleans Saints 72.7Overall NFL Rank
CAR#30
Carolina Panthers #30NO#29
New Orleans Saints #29QB Stability
CAR74.9
Carolina Panthers 74.9NO75.9
New Orleans Saints 75.9Roster Strength
CAR69.3
Carolina Panthers 69.3NO70.5
New Orleans Saints 70.5Coaching Direction
CAR70.8
Carolina Panthers 70.8NO76.0
New Orleans Saints 76.0Recent Performance
CAR74.0
Carolina Panthers 74.0NO71.5
New Orleans Saints 71.5Offense
CAR72.4
Carolina Panthers 72.4NO68.7
New Orleans Saints 68.7Defense
CAR75.1
Carolina Panthers 75.1NO78.2
New Orleans Saints 78.2Franchise Direction
CAR71.9
Carolina Panthers 71.9NO66.0
New Orleans Saints 66.0Explosiveness
CAR71.7
Carolina Panthers 71.7NO61.1
New Orleans Saints 61.1Conference Rank
CAR#16
Carolina Panthers #16NO#15
New Orleans Saints #15Division Rank
CAR#4
Carolina Panthers #4NO#3
New Orleans Saints #3Outlook
CARNeeds More HelpNONeeds More Help
Same outlookTEAM CONSTRUCTION
How These Teams Are Built Differently
Carolina Panthers
- Strongest Rating
- Defense
- Category Edge
- Explosiveness
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- Coaching Direction
Carolina's clearest category edge is Explosiveness. Carolina's Explosiveness concern is smaller than New Orleans', but the grade remains below the strength range. The biggest problem in this matchup is Coaching Direction, where New Orleans owns the clearer advantage.
New Orleans Saints
- Strongest Rating
- Defense
- Category Edge
- Coaching Direction
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- Explosiveness
SCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Carolina Panthers
Full schedule rank: #19
Toughest stretch: Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Strongest opponents: Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles
View Carolina Panthers Road AheadNew Orleans Saints
Full schedule rank: #31
Toughest stretch: Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers
Strongest opponents: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears
View New Orleans Saints Road AheadCarolina has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 19. The strongest opponents include Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles. New Orleans also has the more favorable road, which adds to the less uncertain coaching staff and the stronger defense.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated September 8, 2026. Schedule data updated June 29, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams