Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for the New Orleans Saints, they did.
The Saints (2-7) lost to the Carolina Panthers 23-23 out Charlotte in Sunday, dropping their seventh-straight decision. It’s the Saints’ longest losing streak since 1999, when the Black-and-Gold finished 3-13 in Mike Ditka’s third and final season as the team’s head coach.
New Orleans offense struggled early on, settling for two field goals in the first quarter to take a 6-0 lead after the opening 15 minutes of play. The Saints finally found the end zone in the second quarter via a seven-yard Taysom Hill touchdown run.
Still, the Saints defense failed to stop Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and running back Chuba Hubbard. Young found Xavier Leggett for a three-yard touchdown in the second quarter, while Hubbard scored twice in the second half, including the go-ahead touchdown with 2:18 left in the game.
Hubbard finished the day with 72 yards and the two touchdowns. Young completed 16 of 26 passes for 171 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
Saints quarterback Derek Carr finished the day completing 18 of 32 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown. Alvin Kamara rushed for 155 yards on 29 carries and led all receivers with 60 yards in six catches.
Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was carted off the field in the first quarter after getting hit in the head by a Carolina defender while jumping to make a catch on an errant pass by Carr. Olave was taken to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with his second concussion of the season.
The Saints return home to play the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday.
