Unfortunately, the beginning of the latest chapter for Carolina Panthers football looked a lot like the previous story.
Here’s everything we know from Sunday’s regular-season opener in New Orleans . . .
Final score: Saints 47, Panthers 10
Keys to the game
- The Panthers were beat by their offense, which converted on one of their 10 third-down attempts and one of their three fourth-down tries.. Quarterback Bryce Young, who was largely errant on the afternoon, completed just 13 of his 30 throws for 161 yards and a pair of interceptions.
- They were also beat by their defense, which allowed New Orleans to score on every one of their first nine possessions of the game. Carolina ended up relinquishing 379 total yards and a Saints franchise record for points in an opener.
- Oh, and they were even beat on special teams. The Saints got four field goals from kicker Blake Grupe, a 47-yard punt return from wideout Rashid Shaheed and a blocked punt from tight end Juwuan Johnson—who also scored one of the team’s five touchdowns.
It was over when . . .
. . . it started.
The Saints never allowed the Panthers a centimeter of oxygen, dialing up a 59-yard touchdown pass to Shaheed on the very first possession of the afternoon. Then, on Carolina’s very first touch, Young was picked off on his very first pass of the season by cornerback Will Harris.
New Orleans never even thought of looking back, scoring on each of their next eight drives.
Players of the game
- LB Shaq Thompson: 10 tackles (two for a loss)
- WR Adam Thielen: three receptions, 49 yards
- WR Xavier Legette: four receptions, 35 yards, 28-yard kick return
What’s next?
The Panthers (0-1) will host the Los Angeles Chargers in their home opener next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
