Charlotte, N.C. – It wasn't unfathomable, given the range of possible outcomes Sunday. Probably not even unthinkable, considering the bandwidth of the mind.
But for the New Orleans Saints, Sunday’s 23-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium was about the highest level of unexpectedness that could have been registered.
The Saints (2-7) careened to their seventh consecutive loss, while the Panthers (2-7) ended their five-game losing streak. One team's relief and jubilation was the other's grief amid extended tribulation.
OFFENSE: Twenty-five first downs, 197 rushing yards, 427 yards of offense and no turnovers definitely sound like winning numbers. But here's what wasn't: 2-for-4 in the red zone, when touchdowns were needed, and 10 penalties for 109 yards, with enough timely holds and illegal formations to submarine enough progress to stunt the growth. The Saints couldn't generate enough points, and losing receiver Chris Olave in the first quarter to his second concussion of the season became a glaring issue when time arrived to make a play. The Saints – already thin on play-makers – lost one of their top two and never really recovered.
DEFENSE: More numbers – 246 yards allowed, six stops in 10 third-down attempts, 80 rushing yards allowed on 3.5 yards per attempt – that looked like a winning ticket. But the Panthers, who entered the game averaging 15.5 points, scored touchdowns on all three red zone trips and while the Saints were able to force one turnover (Shemar Jean-Charles had his first NFL interception), two other would-be interceptions were dropped when the defense could have gotten off the field and produced momentum with the stop. New Orleans hasn't been able to get a critical stop since Week 2, which has played a significant role in the seven-game losing streak.
SPECIAL TEAMS: One huge mistake proved costly. Matthew Hayball's 30-yard punt gave the Panthers a short field, and they turned it into a 40-yard touchdown drive. Granted, the defense still had the opportunity to make a stop, but the short punt gave Carolina an adrenaline boost that it took advantage of.
Check out the game action photos from the New Orleans Saints game against the Carolina Panthers for Week 9 of the 2024 NFL Season on Nov. 3, 2024 at Bank of America Stadium.