The Panthers entered today’s game on a five-game losing streak and wanted to get a positive result against a division rival on the road so they would have something to hold on to going into the final week of the season.
The first half went surprisingly well for the Panthers, as the offense put up 10 points and the defense held the Saints to just nine. Carolina started struggling on offense as the half went on, however, but managed to hang on to a lead heading into the break. Sam Darnold started out 9-for-9 passing before his first incompletion (to Chuba Hubbard), but the offensive line struggled with the Saints’ pass rush and Darnold took a few sacks, including a sack-fumble inside the red zone that led to the second of the Saints’ three field goals in the half.