A bleak season for New Orleans took a positive turn on Sunday when the Saints scored 17 unanswered points to earn a road win in a divisional matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
The Saints improved to 2-8 with the NFC South victory, snapping a four-game losing streak, while the Panthers dropped to 5-5. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, making his second start, completed 19 of 27 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns. Shough, the second round draft pick out of Louisville, connected on a 62-yard scoring strike to Chris Olave and a 30-yard touchdown pass to Juwan Johnson to earn his first win as a starter.
Scoring summary
With the 12-play opening drive, Carolina scored on a five-yard run by Rico Dowdle with 7:59 left in the quarter. Following a 21-yard chip shot from New Orleans placekicker Blake Grupe in the following drive, the Saints controlled the time of possession and mounted a comeback to emerge victorious. The aforementioned receiving touchdowns gave New Orleans an insurmountable lead, while the Saints’ defense aided in the team effort by forcing two turnovers.
What the coach said
While picking up his second win as a head football coach in the NFL, New Orleans frontman Kellen Moore was less enthusiastic about the scoreboard and more excited with how his group played as a team.
“We knew it was going to be a physical game by the amount of success Carolina has had the past few weeks, so we knew it was going to be a battle,” Moore said. “We tightened up after their first drive and hung in there, and I think we played all three phases well with complementary football.”
Numbers never lie
The Saints outgained the Panthers 388 yards to 175 in total offense. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young was limited to 124 yards passing and turned the ball over twice as his four-game win streak as a starter ended. Rico Dowdle had 53 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries for the Panthers.
Saints receiver Chris Olave led in receiving with five catches for 102 yards, and tight end Juwan Johnson had four catches for 92 yards, as both caught touchdown passes. New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara had an all-around game, running 22 times for 83 yards while catching three passes for 32 yards. Specialist Taysom Hill helped close out the game with seven carries for 20 yards.
Defensive back Alontae Taylor recorded a key interception in the fourth quarter, while linebacker Pete Werner had a fumble recovery. Defensive end Cam Jordan and defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd both had sacks.
Next up
The New Orleans Saints will enjoy their first bye week of the season, followed by a return home to Caesar’s Superdome Sunday, Nov. 23, against bitter archrival Atlanta Falcons.
