Hoping to wash the sour Week 1 result out of their mouths, the Carolina Panthers played host to the New Orleans Saints for their 2023 home debut. Unfortunately, however, the taste was quite familiar.
Here’s everything we know from the Panthers’ Monday night loss to their NFC South rivals:
Final score: Saints 20, Panthers, 17
Keys to the game
- The Panthers, for the second straight week, couldn’t get the ball going through the air. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young, whose receivers may have had a tough time getting open, completed 22 of his 33 throws for just 153 yards (4.6 yards per attempt) and a touchdown.
- Carolina’s rushing attack didn’t attack much either. Minus Young’s 26-yard scramble, the Panthers rushed for 74 yards on 18 tries.
- The Saints’ physicality slowly put the Panthers to bed. Their rushers, led by quarterback Taysom Hill (75 yards), combined for 135 yards and two scores on 32 totes.
It was over when . . .
After the Panthers settled for their third field goal of the night, the Saints set up shop up by four points at the 5:30 mark of the fourth quarter. On the second play of the touch, quarterback Derek Carr found speedy wideout Rashid Shaheed for a 45-yard reception.
Four snaps later, running back Tony Jones Jr.—who was elevated from the practice squad earlier in the evening—punched in his second touchdown on a 2-yard run to extend the lead to 20-9 with 3:14 left.
Players of the game
- LB Frankie Luvu: nine tackles (three for a loss), 2.0 sacks
- S Vonn Bell: six tackles, interception
- K Eddy Piñeiro: three-of-three on field goals (52, 54, 36)
What's next?
The Panthers (0-2) will hit the road again, this time for a cross-country trip to see the Seattle Seahawks (1-1). Kickoff time for the Week 3 matchup is set for 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday.
