The Panthers and Saints faced off in the NFC South on Monday night, with No. 1 overall draught selection Bryce Young for Carolina and offseason acquisition Derek Carr behind centre for New Orleans, but both team’s defence dominated the game.
The Saints ultimately scored the game’s first touchdown late in the third quarter, and they went on to win 20-17. The Saints are 2-0 heading into Week 3, while the Panthers are 0-2.
Saints of New Orleans
Give the MVP award to the Saints’ defence for the second week in a row. With a suffocating effort against Young and the Panthers, the unit saved the offence from another rough showing. The defence kept the rookie quarterback on his toes for much of the night, limiting him to 22 completions for 153 yards and four sacks. The Saints offence struggled once again, failing to score in the first half for the second week in a row, but it was able to stay pace thanks to a 42-yard throw to Chris Olave in the third quarter.
The offensive line’s performance is a troubling trend. Despite having better success in the run game than the previous week, New Orleans running back Jamaal Williams departed the game early due to a hamstring injury.
QB breakdown: Carr had a rough start, throwing an interception and seemed to have poor timing with his receivers. Instead of scoring, the Saints had to settle with field goals. Carr, like last week, was able to make the big plays when they were needed. The downfield ball to Olave was either team’s first 20-yard play, and it appeared to connect, as Carr followed it up with another important throw to Rashid Shaheed and a toss to Olave that set up the decisive score.
The Saints have now allowed 20 points or less in ten consecutive games, going back to last season, and it does not seem to be a fluke. For the second week in a row, the defence allowed less than 300 net yards, and it added four more sacks to its season total of seven. So far, the lone blemish has been a late score by the Panthers with 1:16 remaining in the game; it was the Saints’ first TD this season
Panthers of Carolina
Young and the Panthers’ offence were not ready for prime time at Bank of America Stadium on Monday night. Young was the draft’s top choice, although his performance was not entirely his responsibility. His offensive line failed on a regular basis, putting the former Alabama star under persistent pressure against a four-man rush. When put under pressure, Young didn’t answer at all, save for a 26-yard scamper in the fourth quarter. He went 3-for-8 for 13 yards with four sacks and a turnover after going 2-for-10 throwing and getting sacked once under pressure in the opener.
Young did an excellent job of getting rid of the ball and creating a couple plays with his legs, but he has yet to complete a pass longer than 15 yards. All of this is why Carolina has only scored two touchdowns in its first two games, and Young’s inexperience remains prominent.
Young and the Panthers have a troubling habit on third down. Young was a key cause for the Panthers’ inefficiency on third downs, finishing 4-for-9 for 32 yards with two sacks and two scrambles.
The most serious flaw in the game plan: what to do on third-and-short. The Panthers can’t employ the quarterback sneak because Young (5-foot-10, 204 pounds) isn’t tall enough. Furthermore, he lacks experience. As a result, Carolina had to use backup quarterback Andy Dalton on those plays. There was a false start the first time. Dalton pitched to running back Miles Sanders for a first down the second time. However, this might be a problem in the future.
Young fumbled on a sack on the opening series of the second half, which would have placed the Saints in the red zone with a 6-3 lead. The play may have been terrible, but it was called back due to a defensive holding penalty. Carolina was able to keep within striking distance until the finish.
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