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Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints game recap: Everything we know

anthony rizzuti
·2 min read
3
Sep 8, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) leaps on tight end Juwan Johnson (83) after he catches a touchdown pass against Carolina Panthers safety Jordan Fuller (20) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) leaps on tight end Juwan Johnson (83) after he catches a touchdown pass against Carolina Panthers safety Jordan Fuller (20) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Unfortunately, the beginning of the latest chapter for Carolina Panthers football looked a lot like the previous story.

Here's everything we know from Sunday's regular-season opener in New Orleans . . .

Final score: Saints 47, Panthers 10

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: Alontae Taylor #1 and Carl Granderson #96 of the New Orleans Saints react after a sack during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome on September 08, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: Alontae Taylor #1 and Carl Granderson #96 of the New Orleans Saints react after a sack during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome on September 08, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Keys to the game

Sep 8, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks at the video boards against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks at the video boards against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

  • The Panthers were beat by their offense, which converted on one of their 10 third-down attempts and one of their three fourth-down tries.. Quarterback Bryce Young, who was largely errant on the afternoon, completed just 13 of his 30 throws for 161 yards and a pair of interceptions.

  • They were also beat by their defense, which allowed New Orleans to score on every one of their first nine possessions of the game. Carolina ended up relinquishing 379 total yards and a Saints franchise record for points in an opener.

  • Oh, and they were even beat on special teams. The Saints got four field goals from kicker Blake Grupe, a 47-yard punt return from wideout Rashid Shaheed and a blocked punt from tight end Juwuan Johnson—who also scored one of the team's five touchdowns.

It was over when . . .

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: Rashid Shaheed #22 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after a receiving touchdown during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome on September 08, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: Rashid Shaheed #22 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after a receiving touchdown during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome on September 08, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

. . . it started.

The Saints never allowed the Panthers a centimeter of oxygen, dialing up a 59-yard touchdown pass to Shaheed on the very first possession of the afternoon. Then, on Carolina's very first touch, Young was picked off on his very first pass of the season by cornerback Will Harris.

New Orleans never even thought of looking back, scoring on each of their next eight drives.

Players of the game

Sep 8, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers safety Jordan Fuller (20) tackles New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers safety Jordan Fuller (20) tackles New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

  • LB Shaq Thompson: 10 tackles (two for a loss)

  • WR Adam Thielen: three receptions, 49 yards

  • WR Xavier Legette: four receptions, 35 yards, 28-yard kick return

What's next?

Sep 8, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales looks on against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales looks on against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The Panthers (0-1) will host the Los Angeles Chargers in their home opener next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints game recap: Everything we know