CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Carolina Panthers welcome the New Orleans Saints in the 2012 home opener Sunday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium.
The Panthers are coming off a 16-10 week one loss at Tampa Bay. The Saints, meanwhile, were upset last weekend by the Washington Redskins 40-32. Carolina lost both meetings to the Saints one year ago. That includes a 30-27 loss in uptown Charlotte back in week five.
Carolina hopes to get a boost with the potential return of running back Jonathan Stewart. Stewart's been out since the Panthers third preseason game against the Jets with an ankle sprain. Wide receiver Steve Smith is expected to play as well. Smith was somewhat of a target for the New Orleans defense a year ago Kickoff is set for 1:00 Sunday afternoon.
