Panthers Strip-Sack Drew Brees on Opening Possession (Video)

It didn’t take the Carolina Panthers long to make a defensive statement against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

Throughout the early-season struggles of the Carolina Panthers, one of the shocking issues was their defense. A young secondary continuously found themselves getting burned. More shockingly, though, the powerful front-seven was unable to generate consistent pressure. While the secondary still has their issues, though, the front-seven has improved a great deal. They made sure to deliver that message New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

With the Saints visiting Carolina on Thursday Night Football, Brees and New Orleans got the ball first. After earning a first down, they struggled to get Mark Ingram going. That forced them into a third-and-long and the Panthers collapsed the pocket quickly on Brees.

Brees attempted to tuck the football when he realized he wasn’t going to be able to get a throw off. However, he wasn’t quick enough in doing so. Carolina got their mitts on the football and put the pigskin on the turf. Acting quickly with the loose ball, the Panthers pounced on it for a huge early turnover:

That’s hard to swallow if you’re the Saints starting the game, especially with the issues their defense has had in 2016.

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However, that struggling defense of New Orleans survived—but just barely. A big sack forced Carolina in a long goal-to-go situation and they had to kick a field goal. Of course, Kenny Vaccaro was called for roughing the kicker and put the Saints back on the field. Again, though, they held the Panthers and only allowed a field goal.