No one said it would be easy, especially with a midseason quarterback change.

But New Orleans Saints rookie Tyler Shough received invaluable experience in his start against the Los Angeles Rams (a 34-10 loss), and he'll look to apply it Sunday when the Saints (1-8) face the Panthers (5-4) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Shough will need support from everywhere: Chris Olave and the receiving corps will have a heavier load after Rashid Shaheed was traded to Seattle; the defense can't have a repeat Rams performance and dare to dream of success; and the special team units are overdue for a momentum-swinging play.

Here are a few things to pay attention to:

1. DENY DOWDLE

In the last five games, Panthers running back Rico Dowdle has rushed for 652 yards and three touchdowns on 103 carries. For a Saints defense that has had an on-again, off-again relationship with tackling, Dowdle will either force it to rally to avoid a forgettable performance — or become the reason for one. The good news is, 389 of Dowdle's yards came against Dallas and Miami, the fourth- and third-worst run defenses in the league. The bad news is the Saints allow 129.4 rushing yards per game, ninth most in the league. Hopefully, Saints linebacker Demario Davis will be making his stops at, or behind, the line of scrimmage.

2. PUT IT ON BRYCE

Dowdle's emergence has alleviated pressure on Carolina's quarterbacks; Bryce Young has thrown for more than 200 yards once in eight starts, but Carolina is 5-3 in those games. The Saints want to shut down the run and force Young and his receivers to be the deciding factor. Do that, and edge rusher Chase Young will wreck a few plays. Dowdle's presence may draw more bodies into the box to slow down the run, so the secondary has to hold up in coverage. Rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan (41 catches, 558 yards, two touchdowns) far and away is Young's favorite target.

3. MAKE SHOUGH COUNT

Shough and the offense must do some things to loosen up opposing defenses. That's a challenge because deep passes require longer protection for routes to develop, and asking a rookie quarterback to direct multiple 10- to 12-play touchdown drives is a tough ask — one that New Orleans wasn't able to accomplish even before Shough was elevated. Shough has tools — including a big arm and a willingness to use it — and the Saints must take advantage of his ability to be aggressive. Olave remains capable of getting deep and there's little doubt he especially wants to play well in this one; last season's road game against Carolina was his last game of the season after he suffered his fourth NFL concussion. It'd be a great time for him to have an impact game.

4. LINE DANCE

In order for Shough to have a fighting chance, the new-look offensive line has to hold up. Starting left guard Trevor Penning was traded to the Chargers and right tackle Taliese Fuaga will miss this one. Add in the season-ending injury to center Erik McCoy and New Orleans will be missing three-fifths of the offensive line it was counting on to start and thrive this season. Under those circumstances greatness is a lot to ask, but greatness — or something that looks really, really close to it — will be needed. Dillon Radunz steps in at left guard, and Asim Richards grabs hold of right tackle.