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.
But the Panthers’ defense dominated New Orleans all game.
Throughout the second half, it seemed neither team minded playing for overtime.
The Panthers gained only 60 net yards in the first half. Darnold completed two passes for eight yards. Running back D’Onta Foreman was the team’s best offensive option until he was ejected early in the third quarter. Foreman was ejected for striking defensive end Marcus Davenport in the facemask with a closed hand. Davenport was also ejected for initially striking Foreman in a similar manner following a Foreman rush for no gain. Davenport made the tackle and exchanged words with Foreman after the play before the physical exchange.
Carolina scored eight plays later. Running backs Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear carried the Panthers to New Orleans’ 3-yard line. Then Darnold kept a read-option run but fumbled when reaching for the goal line. Guard Michael Jordan fell on the live ball, scoring both his first career touchdown and the team’s first score of the game.
New Orleans squandered several first-half scoring chances as the Panthers’ offense meandered in their own territory for 30 minutes. Kicker Wil Lutz missed a 44-yard field goal with 14:20 left in the second quarter. The Saints traveled 35 yards on seven plays before Lutz ended the drive wide left.
Seven minutes later, the Saints failed to convert a fourth-and-1 from Carolina’s 20-yard line. New Orleans tried rushing Alvin Kamara up the middle but linebacker Frankie Luvu jackknifed inside and tackled the Pro Bowl running back for a loss of three yards. Just before halftime, cornerback C.J. Henderson forced rookie receiver Chris Olave to fumble after he made a 12-yard catch at the Carolina 24. The Panthers recovered and entered halftime down seven points.
The Saints scored first by targeting Josh Norman. The 35-year-old veteran started in place of second-year cornerback Keith Taylor. New Orleans quarterback Andy Dalton wasted no time attacking Norman. He completed all four of his opening-series pass attempts, gaining 59 passing yards on the eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive.
Olave caught two passes on the drive. The second went for 25 yards and a touchdown against Norman. Olave caught a quick pass and Norman missed the open-field tackle that allowed the score.
The Panthers’ first three drives produced just 25 yards and one first down. Left guard Brady Christensen left during the second series with an ankle injury and did not return.
