(Getty)
Final Score
New Orleans Saints 3-7-6-6 — 22
Carolina Panthers 0-10-10-7 — 27
The New Orleans Saints are in desperation mode, and Week 3 hasn’t even started yet. At 0-2, the chances of making the playoffs are already narrow, and turning to backup Luke McCown will not settle the panic.
The Saints visit Carolina, who have dominated a pair of teams with poor quarterback play (Jacksonville and Houston) to jump out to a 2-0 record and a tie for first in the NFC South.
The Panthers have won four of the last six meetings between the teams.
Keep it here for stats and highlights of the game:
The Saints Grabbed a 10-0 Lead
After a field goal gave the Saints a 3-0 lead, Luke McCown led the team on an epic 16-play, 94 yard drive capped by a 5-yard run by Mark Ingram.
Greg Olsen Had a Monster 1st Half for Carolina
Greg Olsen caught a touchdown pass to pull Carolina to within 10-7 in the first half.
The Saints Ran a Punt Back for a TD in the 3rd Quarter
#DREAMER™ Marcus Murphy ( @mmurphy6 ) with a 74 yard punt return for a @Saints TD! GO GET IT! http://t.co/WdRzG2Cqzm
Saints returner Marcus Murphy returned one to the house in the third quarter to give the Saints a 16-10 lead. The PAT was missed.
The Panthers Edged a Wild 2nd Half
The game was tight throughout, and the Panthers held off the Saints with this interception by Josh Norman in the 4th quarter.
Preview: NFC South Rivals Meet in Carolina
Jonathan Stewart (R) has struggled to get going, rushing for 3.4 yards per carry and no touchdowns in two games. (Getty)
The Saints and Panthers meet in Week 3 of the NFL season on Sunday in a NFC South showdown, and each will likely be without their best player.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees is already out of the game with a shoulder injury suffered against Tampa Bay, and Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly will miss a second straight game with a concussion.
The Panthers didn’t miss Kuechly last week as the defense delivered another dominating performance against the Texans. The Saints dropped their opening two games against Arizona and the Buccaneers.
The teams split their meetings in 2014, including a 41-10 Panthers win in New Orleans that was a part of their unlikely run to the postseason.
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Saints vs. Panthers: Score, Stats & Highlights