The Panther defense was opportunistic on Sunday in Carolina's first win of the season. The Panthers downed the New Orleans Saints 22-14 in Charlotte. The Panthers offense only managed 12 1st downs in the game was outgained 426-293 in total offense. However, it was the turnover margin that made the difference for Carolina. The Panther defense created 3 takeaways on the day and were +3 in that category.
The defense got the Panthers on the board, as Marquis Haynes returned a fumble 44 yards for a touchdown, to put Carolina up 7-0. The Panthers then added 2 field goals from Eddy Piniero , one from 45 yards out and the other of 48 yards. The Panther defense shut New Orleans out for the 1st half and Carolina led 13-0 at half.
Neither offense could get anything on the board in the 3rd and Carolina took a 13-0 lead into the 4th. The Saints would get on the board early in the 4th. New Orleans RB Mark Ingram scored on a 5 yard TD run, that capped a 10 play 89 yard TD drive to make it 13-7 Panthers.
Carolina would answer with its longest play from scrimmage all day. Carolina got a 67 yard TD pass from Baker Mayfield to Laviska Shenault. They would fail to convert on the 2 point try, that made it 19-7 Carolina. The Panthers then added to the lead with Piniero's 3rd FG of the game, this one from 34 yards. Carolina then led 22-7 with 8:19 left in the game.
The Saints would make it interesting late as they scored to cut the lead to one possession with 2:22 left. New Orleans would get a 4 yard touch down pass from QB Jameis Winston to Marquez Callaway, that made the game 22-14.
The New Orleans defense forced a Panthers 3 and out. The Saints got the ball back and had one last shot. Panther Corner and Former South Carolina Gamecock standout Jaycee Horn sealed the deal by picking off a Winston pass with 17 seconds left.
The Panthers got their first win of the 2022 season. They take on a playoff team from last Arizona next Sunday. The Panthers will be at home again for a 4 PM kickoff in that one. You can hear every Panther game this season on Classic Rock 101.1
