The Carolina Panthers used a huge third down reception by receiver KELVIN BENJAMIN super late in the fourth quarter, as well as some other clock draining plays to gain themselves a 23-20 victory at Bank of America Stadium. But this win came with a price. The Panthers in the fourth quarter, lost their star middle linebacker LUKE KUECHLY to a head injury that was being treated as a possible concussion by the Carolina medical staff.
Benjamin who caught 3 passes for 56 yards in what was an otherwise quiet night for him, was pretty loud on that catch. The play ran some time off the clock and made it harder for the Saints to get into the end zone on their last offensive drive of the game which started at the CAR 14-yard line and with 49 seconds left in the game.
Panthers quarterback CAM NEWTON (14 of 33 for 192 yards and 1 scoring pass) was off tonight as far as accuracy, but he made enough plays with his arm and his feet to help his team get this much needed victory.
The Panthers (4-6 overall, 1-3 NFC South) are in last place in the NFC South even with this victory, but this victory may go along way into helping to save their season.
The Saints (4-6 overall, 1-2 NFC South) were pretty much flat offensively for most of this game. But it was players like running back TIM HIGHTOWER (126 yards total offense) who gave the Saints some hope in the fourth quarter. He gained most of his 69 yards rushing in the fourth quarter. He took over the lion’s share of carries in the third and fourth quarters when leading rusher MARK INGRAM left the game with a possible concussion near the 7:30 mark of the third quarter.
Carolina running back JONATHAN STEWART put the game’s first touchdown on the board, when he followed fullback MIKE TOLBERT‘s block into the end zone for a 1-yard diving touchdown run. With 5:40 left in the second quarter the Panthers took a 10-3 lead.
The Panthers added to their lead when receiver TED GINN JR. (3 catches for 46 yards and 1 score) got behind Saints outside linebacker CRAIG ROBERTSON and the rest of the Saints defense for a contested (by officials) 40-yard touchdown catch. With just sixteen seconds left in the first half, Carolina extended their lead to 20-3.
That was Ginn’s first touchdown catch of the year and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Because with the Saints offense’s propensity to score, a lead is never safe against them. Ginn’s touchdown catch also softened the blow of losing (by penalty) Kuechly’s 68-yard touchdown run off of a blocked field goal attempt by the Saints. Kuechly’s return took place just one play before Ginn’s contested touchdown reception.
The Saints early in the fourth quarter, finally scored a touchdown of their own after two successful WILL LUTZ field goals. This touchdown came courtesy of a BRANDON COLEMAN leaping and hard fought 9-yard catch versus close coverage from number two left cornerback ROBERT MCCLAIN. Coleman’s second touchdown catch of the year cut the Panthers’ lead to 23-13 at the 11:22 mark of the fourth period.
The Saints then put in out there that they were still alive late in the fourth quarter. Tight end COBY FLEENER got into the end zone to catch an 8-yard scoring pass from Brees right in front of Kuechly’s backup at middle linebacker in DAVID MAYO. The lead Panthers’ lead was cut to 23-20 near the 2:50 mark of the fourth quarter.
