Saints Defeat Panthers, 20-17

The Panthers move to 0-2 on the season.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Monday Night Football returned to Charlotte for the first time since 2018, but it didn't end in a party as the Carolina Panthers fell to the New Orleans Saints, 20-17.

Miles Sanders nearly busted loose on the second play of the first series for Carolina, managing to pick up 13 yards on the carry. Adam Thielen picked up 12 yards on a pair of screens and then made a 10-yard catch over the middle of the field to set up a 52-yard field goal by Eddy Pineiro for the game's first points.

New Orleans answered back with a field goal of their own, but during the scoring drive the Panthers lost a key piece of their defense in Shaq Thompson who was carted off the field with an ankle injury. Panthers defensive lineman DeShawn Williams got a handle on Saints left tackle Trevor Penning and slammed him to the ground, landing on Thompson's leg.

Derek Carr hit a bit of a cold stretch throwing the ball in the second quarter missing on five of seven attempts, but did make one of those completions count with a 19-yard pass to Michael Thomas, who made a terrific grab along the sideline. Blake Grupe finished off the drive with a chip shot field goal to give New Orleans a 6-3 lead.

Carolina had a golden opportunity right before the half as Derek Carr threw an interception to Vonn Bell which was returned to the Saints' 37. Bryce Young hit Adam Thielen for a gain of 15, but that was about all that went right on the possession. On third down from the 18, Young rolled right to evade pressure but was chased down by Carl Granderson, resulting in a lost fumble.

The Panthers pinned New Orleans inside their own five for their first possession of the second half and after a three and out, Carolina received terrific starting field position beginning in plus territory for the second time in the game. Young picked up nine yards on the ground but was a yard short of the first. Head coach Frank Reich sent in Andy Dalton to run the QB sneak, but a false start by Cade Mays changed those plans. Instead, Carolina had to send out Pineiro for a 54-yard kick which tied up the game at six.

Derek Carr connected with Chris Olave for 42 yards down the sideline with CJ Henderson in coverage. A few minutes later, Tony Jones Jr. finished off the drive with a two-yard rush up the middle.

Bryce Young woke up the fans inside Bank of America Stadium with a 26-yard scramble on 3rd & 11, juking Marcus Maye before an ugly attempt at a slide. Cornerback Paulson Adebo gifted Carolina some red zone action with a defensive pass interference call while in coverage on DJ Chark, but once again, the offense couldn't take advantage. Pineiro connected from 36 to stay perfect on the night, making it a 13-9 game.

Carr delivered a 45-yard strike to Rashid Shaheed in stride to put the Panthers on the ropes. A fatigued Carolina defense couldn't find a way to come up with one more stop as Tony Jones Jr. pounded in his second score of the night.

The Panthers didn't go away quietly, though. Young completed 8-of-10 passes for 61 yards, quickly driving right down the field. Adam Thielen reeled in a short touchdown pass and also caught the two-point conversion to make it 20-17.

Carolina's onside kick attempt failed and the Saints were able to run out the clock.

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