The New Orleans Saints (4-4 overall and 2-1 for second place in NFC South) came into Bank of America Stadium and used just about every weapon they had on offense and a suffocating defense, to post a beat down on the Carolina Panthers 28-10.
Quarterback Drew Brees (24 of 34 for 297 yards, 1 touchdown pass and 1 interception)
distributed his 24 completions to eight different offensive players and running back Mark Ingram (30 carries for 100 yards and 2 scores) had his second 100-yard rushing game of the season.
As for the defense, they made it hard for quarterback Cam Newton (10 of 28 for 151 yards, 0 touchdowns and 1 interception) to find any kind of rhythm with his receivers. Plus Carolina’s running game was spotty as that facet of their offense was never much of a threat for the night—–it took them 37 carries to get 105 yards for just a 2.8 yards per carry average.
Two teams who can score when they want to in New Orleans and Carolina (especially New Orleans), didn’t even make the scoreboard lights twitch as neither team scored in the first quarter despite combining for 174 yards (125 yards for New Orleans and 49 for Carolina).
A team known for their offense, it took the Saints defense to lead them to their first score. Defensive end Junior Galette (3 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble) sacked then forced quarterback Newton to fumble with linebacker Curtis Lofton recovering the ball at the CAR 4 yard line. That fumble recovery led to a 3 yard touchdown run by Ingram. The score was now 7-0 New Orleans with 2:38 to go in the second quarter.
Near the end of the first half, the Saints went on a methodical and quick 10 play-85 yard drive. The drive ended when Brees threw a 1 yard right corner of the end zone touchdown pass to tight end Jimmy Graham (7 catches for 83 yards and 1 score). It was now 14-0 Saints with just a few seconds left in the first half.
On the Panthers (3-5-1 overall and 1-1 for third place in the NFC South) first scoring drive of the night, Newton grew sick and tired of his receivers not getting open or dropping passes. So he took it upon himself and sped down the left sideline, then he dove into the end zone to complete a 10 yard touchdown run. The score was now 14-7 Saints with 10:14 left in the third quarter.
Wide receivers Kenny Stills (5 catches form 72 yards) and rookie Brandin Cooks were very instrumental on the Saints’ next scoring drive. Those two combined to catch 3 passes for 45 yards which helped get the Saints to the CAR 15 yard line. Then on 4th and goal after an incompletion to backup tight end Josh Hill, Brees dove directly over his center Tim Lelito and into the end zone to give his team a 21-7 advantage with 4:04 left in the third quarter.
One of the Panthers’ biggest plays of the game was a 47 yard completion from Newton to crafty veteran receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who ran down the middle of the field until he was tackled at the NO 21 yard line. But all the Panthers got out of the drive was a 31 yard successful field goal from kicker Graham Gano. The score was now 21-10 with 12:57 left in the game.
Then to pretty much put this game away, Ingram scored his second touchdown of the game with 3 yard touchdown run behind a block from left tackle Terron Armstead. With 5:34 left in the game the Saints had a 28-10 lead.
Then after a three and out by the Panthers on their ensuing drive, the Saints gobbled up the remaining 3:36 with three Ingram runs (these three runs were bent on giving him 100 yards), a 2 yard run by the recently signed running back Edwin Baker, and two Brees kneel downs.
