NEW ORLEANS — On the final week of his 13-week tryout to become the Panthers’ full-time head coach, interim coach Steve Wilks somehow kept Carolina in a game that featured a dormant passing game, double-digit punts, multiple player ejections and two game-swinging Sam Darnold interceptions.
Despite gaining just 32 net passing yards, the Panthers beat the New Orleans Saints 10-7 on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome in their Week 18 season finale. Kicker Eddy Piñeiro made a game-winning 44-yard field goal as time expired, capturing Carolina its first winning record against the NFC South since 2015.
All afternoon, Darnold could not get the Panthers’ passing game moving. He made a few key scrambles but Wilks and offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo leaned on Carolina’s running game rather than risking a Darnold turnover. But that conservative style only lasted so long. Carolina got the ball back with 1:47 to play following a Saints punt. Starting on their own 13-yard line, Darnold threw his second interception on the drive’s first play. The throw was targeted for D.J. Moore deep down the right sideline.
