While the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints are out of playoff contention, they're both in the midst of season-long rebuilding efforts and looking for signs of progress.

Here are your Five Things to Know about the New Orleans Saints for Thursday, December 18:

The New Orleans Saints are going to be thin at running back on Sunday when they take on the New York Jets. New Orleans lost backup running back Kendre Miller e

The New Orleans Saints play host the Carolina Panthers at 3:25 p.m. on Sunday in an NFC South contest at the Caesars Superdome. This is the place to keep up with the NFL score and live updates. The Saints (3-1) are looking for their second victory over the Panthers this season after they pulled off the upset 17-7 on the road behind rookie quarterback Tyler Shough on Nov.

CBS Sports' Mike Renner gave his prediction for who the team would draft if it made the pick today. Renner has the Saints selecting Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, who ranks as CBS' No. 26 overall player and No. 5 edge rusher. Renner ranks him higher perhaps than others.

Carolina's young quarterback did his part, but his traditional passing stats were underwhelming for the 10th time this season.

The previously hapless Saints have won consecutive games for the first time all season and their rookie quarterback is a big reason why.

Both of the Saints' top two draft picks ranked among PFF's best rookies this season. Tyler Shough and Kelvin Banks Jr. are earning some believers.

So in the span of six weeks, the Panthers fell to the team residing in last place in their division twice. All told, Kellen Moore’s team owns a 4-10 win-loss record—2-0 vs. Carolina and 2-10 vs. the rest of the league.

The NFL season continues in Week 15 when the New Orleans Saints host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Start time, how to watch, stream and NFL TV schedule.