Saints at Panthers: Highlights, score and recap

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in Week 3, 34-13. Here are all the highlights, the game recap and the final score.

In a game of great desperation, the New Orleans Saints were able to pull one out against their NFC South rival Carolina Panthers on the road, 34-13. New Orleans was 0-2 on the season and needed a win in the worst way to keep pace with their division rivals. Carolina might have been 2-0 entering this Week 3 game at home, but the Panthers offense once again came out flat.

New Orleans held the Panthers offense to just 13 points at home. Carolina did not take care of the football, as Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was picked off three times in the ball game. On the other side of the coin, Saints quarterback Drew Brees was magnificent in his efficient game under center.

Brees was able to spread the ball around to three different receiving targets for touchdowns. His favorite target on Sunday afternoon was his No. 1 weapon in emerging star receiving Michael Thomas. Those two have built up quite the rapport over the last year plus with the Saints.

This felt like a bit of a trap game for the Panthers to begin with. They were riding high on two great defensive showings in the first two weeks. However, those two wins came against meager offenses with rookie head coaches in the San Francisco 49ers and the Buffalo Bills.

For the Panthers, it might be time to start to worry about the offense. Though Christian McCaffrey was great as a receiver out of the backfield, the running game still ran through Jonathan Stewart. To not put up 28 points on the Saints defense at home is not a good look.

New Orleans improves to 1-2 on the year with a big first win in the division. Carolina stumbles to 2-1 on the year, down 0-1 in NFC South play. Giving up 34 points to the Saints at home has Carolina facing more problems than solutions entering Week 4.

Three Stars

1. Drew Brees: Brees completed 22 of 29 passes for 220 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He averaged 7.6 yards per attempt and a quarterback rating of 131.4.
2. Kenny Vaccaro: Vaccaro had five tackles, three solo, two passes defended, one tackle for a loss and an interception.
3. Michael Thomas: Thomas had seven catches for 87 yards and a touchdown.

Highlights

Next Game

The Saints will have to make a trek across the pond in Week 4. They will take on the Miami Dolphins in the second NFL in London game of the season. Kickoff from Wembley Stadium in London will be at 9:30 a.m. ET on October 1. FOX will have the national broadcast.

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The Panthers have a brutal road game in Week 4. They will have to travel to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots on October 1. Kickoff from Gillette Stadium will be at 1:00 p.m. ET. FOX will have the telecast.