Carolina Panthers (2-7) – New Orleans Saints (2-7): 23-22
NFC South final duel this Sunday between the Panthers and the Saints. The visitors see their starting quarterback Derek Carr return to the field after several weeks. For the Panthers, it is again Bryce Young who will lead the attack, Andy Dalton still being injured.
Concern Chris Olave
Undermined by injuries in attack since the start of the season, the Saints still have no respite. Midway through the first quarter, Chris Olave is violently sandwiched by Mike Jackson and Xavier Woods. The 24-year-old receiver collapsed unconscious and was taken off the field on a stretcher. This is Olave's second concussion of the season.
Without his best target, Derek Carr (18/31, 236 yards, 1 touchdown) relies painfully on the rest of his receivers (7 other players with one reception).
Panthers side, place for youth! Bryce Young (16/26, 171 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception) is not flamboyant, but is not infamous as he may have been in the recent past. Also orphaned by his best targets (Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson), he relies as best he can on a squad mainly made up of rookies:
- Xavier Legette (WR, 1er round): 4 receptions, 33 yards, 1 touchdown
- Ja'Tavion Sanders (TE, 4th round): 4 receptions, 87 yards
- Jalen Coker (WR, undrafted): 2 receptions, 36 yards
Race as a driving force
In the absence of aerial play, the two teams advance by running and going blow for blow. Alvin Kamara (29 carries, 155 yards, 6 receptions, 60 yards) is in the oven and at the mill with 5.3 yards per carry. The Saints pass almost 200 yards (197) to the very crumbly defense of the Panthers.
Overall, the Saints are better in all statistical points. They have possession (34 minutes vs 26 minutes). They gain (much) more yards: 427 to 246. They gain more first attempts (25 to 15).
On the local side, Chubba Hubbard presents less flattering figures (15 races, 72 yards). Yes but there you go, he enters the end zone twice, and if all the statistics are interesting, the only one that counts is the number of points on the scoreboard. The Saints never manage to outrun the Panthers (their biggest lead will be 6 points). The latter punished Carolina in the last quarter and got back in front by a small point.
Both teams are 2 wins away. Dennis Allen's (Saints head coach) seat is very hot.
