Saints return Jonathan Stewart fumble for a TD (Video)

The Carolina Panthers entered Sunday’s game against the 4-7 New Orleans Saints undefeated at 11-0.

The New Orleans Saints have had a roller coaster season, but came to play early on Sunday against their undefeated, division-leading NFC South rivals, the Carolina Panthers.

Just over four minutes into the game, Drew Brees connected on a 14-yard touchdown pass to his tight end Benjamin Watson for the game’s first score that gave New Orleans a 7-0 lead. Later in the first quarter, Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart fumbled, which Saints linebacker Stephone Anthony returned 31 yards for a touchdown:

The main question was: did Stewart’s knee hit the ground before he fumbled? In slow motion, it was hard to tell:

It was close, but the play call stood, and the Saints upped their lead to 14-0 in the first quarter. Stewart has fumbled 18 times in his eight-year NFL career. He has been better protecting the football with just four fumbles over the last two seasons combined, but that was already his third lost fumble this season.

Another rarity occurred early in Sunday’s game. Cam Newton, who has been as close to perfect as a quarterback can be in a season despite not having his No. 1 wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, threw an interception to Saints corner back Delvin Breaux.

Newton returned to form and completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to backup running back Mike Tolbert on the first play of the second quarter to cut the Saints’ lead in half. Stewart already has 15 rushing yards and 15 receiving yards in the game, so has gotten right back on the horse quickly.