The New Orleans Saints improved to a 2-0 overall record on Monday night on the road as they topped the Carolina Panthers, 20-17 in a game that was more of a testament to the defensive effort than anything else.
It was a low-scoring affair for the better part of the contest as the Saints walked into the locker room at halftime with a 6-3 lead before a mind-boggling, one-handed reception for 42 yards by wide receiver Chris Olave changed everything midway through the third quarter.
Buy Saints TicketsThe Saints will look to make the tweaks needed to play better complementary football as they prepare to take on a talented Green Bay Packers team in a short week.
Carr noted that he didn’t believe the team had yet played to its ceiling and is eager to put that on display moving forward.
“We’re 2-0 and I don’t think we’ve played at the level that we’re all expecting to play at yet,” Carr said afterwards. “We’re going to keep working and make those corrections, but it feels good to do it with a win.”
Here’s a look at what fans and analysts on social media had to say about the Saints’ latest victory:
Saints are 2-0 with a ton of room for improvement, but this defense is legit and the talent is there. Execution needs to be better.
But a win is a win.
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) September 19, 2023
Man…nothing easy with the Saints.
But the Saints are (2-0) and now are 30-12 on the road since 2018.
The best road record in the NFC in that timeframe..
Who Dat !!Saints-20
Panthers-17— Michael Detillier (@MikeDetillier) September 19, 2023
Saints need to start scoring touchdowns at some point this season. Defense and Grupe only goes so far. It's supposed to be different.
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) September 19, 2023
#Saints will start 2-0 for the first time since 2013. That year they finished the regular season 11-5. But this offense has some things to figure out. Steps forward a must next week in Green Bay.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) September 19, 2023
Decent game. Saints still running same old tired offense, kinda boring ngl.
— ZRho (@_ZRho_) September 19, 2023
New Orleans D rolling over so Carolina can try to force a push on the minus-3 and maybe even recover an onside kick. Dennis Allen everybody!
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) September 19, 2023
Bryce Young has very little run game, very little protection and no receiver who can consistently separate – unless you argue Thielen. Against that veteran, crafty, physical Saints D … well, the kid's in for a long night. BUT HE'S GOING TO BE GOOD.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 19, 2023
The NFL is rigged. Saints up by 11 with 2 minutes. Panthers allowed to score to make it 20-17. 7 odds markers had it Saints by 3 when it should have been by 11.
— Gary Crabtree (@gtcrabtree) September 19, 2023
