Saints vs. Panthers: Highlights, game tracker and more

The New Orleans Saints faced the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 24 in Week 3 of the 2017 NFL season. Here are the highlights from the game.

The Carolina Panthers will play host to the New Orleans Saints in what should be one of the most exciting matchups of Week 3. The Saints entered still looking for their first win of the season as they face off against the 2-0 Panthers.

Coming into this game, New Orleans was really struggling in every aspect of the game. The fact that their defense was worst in the league wasn’t wholly surprising, despite adding improvements. However, it was surprising that their offense hadn’t looked in its normal form. Drew Brees and company put a quick end to that on the road in Carolina.

After the Panthers kicked a field goal midway through the first quarter to open the scoring, Brees and the Saints turned it on. He finished the first quarter on a 13-play drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Michael Thomas. He then used a turnover in the second quarter to throw another touchdown, this one to Brandon Coleman. With a field goal for each also in the second period, that made the score 17-6 in favor of the visitors at halftime.

Coming out of the locker room, New Orleans didn’t stop firing. Brees came out and found Ted Ginn Jr. for a 40-yard bomb and a score against his former team. Cam Newton then answered late in the third quarter with a rushing touchdown, but that didn’t discount what was a horrible day for the Panthers offense.

Newton hasn’t looked right all season, and that was never more evident than on Sunday. Against what was the worst passing defense in the league coming into the matchup, Newton couldn’t find any success and even threw two picks on the day. It was really the perfect storm for New Orleans as both sides of the ball found a groove.

With the scoreline pushed to 27-13 for the Saints after a Will Lutz field goal, rookie running back Alvin Kamara put the exclamation point on the game. With just under five minutes left, he scampered 25 yards to the house for the score and to secure a massive road win.

Highlights

Next: NFL Week 3: One burning question for each team

Neither of these teams made the playoffs in the 2016 season. As a division game, this is an important step for either team if they want to change their fates and make a run at the Super Bowl this season.