Event of the Day: New Orleans Saints v Carolina Panthers
Our event of the day is the Week 13 NFL clash between the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The NFC South Division rivals currently share the first position with matching 8-3 records just ahead of the Atlanta Falcons who have a 7-4 record. All three teams have a chance to make the play-offs but all will be desperate to clinch the division title. New Orleans’ fantastic run of eight victories in a row was interrupted last week with a 26-20 defeat away to the Los Angeles Rams. Carolina are on a four-game winning streak, including last Sunday’s triumphant 35-27 visit to the New York Jets. The Panthers are looking to make amends for the 34-13 home defeat to the Saints back in September, that kick-started the latter’s impressive run of form. 
The duel will be especially interesting to watch when New Orleans are in possession, as they have the second best offense in the league, led by Super Bowl 44 MVP, Drew Brees - it is a balanced attack ranked 2nd in passing and 3rd in rushing. However they will face a worthy opponent in Carolina – the second ranked defence in the league. The Panthers’ offense is led by quarterback Cam Newton, MVP of the 2015 season, who is in good form, but the team’s attacking strength lies with their rushing ability. It promises to be a great division derby at the Superdome.Honourable mentions
around the globe go to the second day of the second Test of the 2017-18 Ashes series between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval. This is the first ever day/night Ashes Test and Australia closed the first day/night on 209 runs for the loss of four wickets. NFL fixtures bring the duel of the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles at the CenturyLink Field in Seattle; the clash of the Baltimore Ravens and the Detroit Lions at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore; and the encounter of the Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. There are five NBA games scheduled, including the meeting between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. In the NHL, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings meet at the United Center in Chicago. It’s the third day of the Test match between New Zealand and West Indies at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. In golf, it is the final day of three tournaments; the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at the Heritage Golf Club in Mauritius, the Australian PGA Championship at the RACV Royal Pines Resort in Benowa, and the US Hero World Challenge in Albany in the Bahamas. In the Aviva Premiership, Harlequins take on Saracens at the Stoop.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Fixture
Photos by NFL