Saints’ next home game against Panthers gets a time change

The New Orleans Saints’ Dec. 6 game in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome will now be played at a different time.

For all you early birds who like to get a good tailgate in before home games, the New Orleans Saints announced Monday that their December 6 meeting with the Carolina Panthers has been switched from Noon CT to 3:25 PM CT, thanks to some flexing done by FOX.

You can either sleep in or add another three hours of partying to the agenda — that’s up to you.  But for the team, nothing changes, as they look to take care of business against the Houston Texans this Sunday then do the same against a currently undefeated Panthers team, who could be riding an 11-0 record this time next week if they can beat the Dallas Cowboys following the return of star quarterback Tony Romo.

After a nice three-game win streak, the Saints have lost their last two contests, including a second-half meltdown at home against a then 1-6 Tennessee Titans team, and a 47-14 manhandling served by the not-so-good Washington Redskins.  Horrendous play on the defensive side of the ball led to last Monday’s firing of coordinator Rob Ryan.

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After hopefully getting through the bye-week blues, new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and company look to turn things around with only six games left on the schedule.  Before the Saints return to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for their 3:25 PM meeting with Carolina on Dec. 6, they’ll have to march on through Houston in hopes of taking out the red-hot Texans.