A sold out Superdome spent most of the game watching the home team for the third straight week have to come back for a win, this time battling back from a double digit deficit. Saints quarterback Drew Brees led the way with 330 yards passing, but was also a reason Carolina jumped out to a 14 points lead.
The Panthers needed just two plays after the opening kickoff to get on the board. Running back DeAngelo Williams scampered 66 yards for a touchdown giving Carolina a 7-0 lead. New Orleans would go three and out and after a seven play drive ended with a punt for the Panthers, Carolina’s defense would make a big play.
Brees was hit from behind fumbling the ball and the Panthers recovered. Two plays later DeAngelo Williams scored from seven yards out to make it 14-0 with 6:53 to play in the first quarter. The Saints offense would only muster a pair of John Carney field goals by half time and trailed 17-6.
Much like the second half in Miami three weeks ago, the Saints offense would wake up. It took just 1:46 off the clock to score their first touchdown of the day. Brees hit receiver Devery Henderson for 63 yards and a play later running back Pierre Thomas capped the drive off with a 10-yard touchdown to make it 17-13.
The Saints defense had trouble the entire game keeping the Panthers running game in check. 10 out of the 19 play ensuing Panthers drive were runs. Carolina would have to settle for a field goal however to make it 20-13 after taking up 9:47 off the clock and traveling 73 yards. Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme was visibliy disgusted as he walked off the field prior to the field goal, the former Saints knew his team likely lost the game by failing to get seven.
The stop would prove important as Brees seven plays later tied the game up at 20 apiece by hitting receiver Robert Meachem for a 54 yard touchdown. After a Panthers punt, Carney connected from 40 yards out to put the Saints up 23-20 with 4:36 to play. Delhomme would be sacked on fourth and eight by Will Smith, and Anthony Hargrove would recover the ball, giving the Saints possesion with 2:43 to play.
Carolina however would force a punt. Saints first round pick Malcolm Jenkins would make a key play, downing the ball Panthers 2-yard line . On the next play, Hargrove stripped Williams on a run, then recovered the ball scooting into the end zone for a touchdown.
MY TAKE
The Saints once again had trouble stopping the run. Carolina didn’t do anything extraordinary. They simply were beating the Saints defense man to man. The Panthers rushed for 182 yards as a team, led by DeAngelo Williams’ 149 yards on 21 carries. Panthers quarterabck Jake Delhomme wasn’t great, just 17 of 30 on the day for 230 yards but he didn’t throw any interceptions.
Offensively, there was no rhythm to be found in the first half, perhaps effects of a short week from playing on Monday night. The Saints however this season seem to be able to simply overcome things. Bad football, turnovers, penalties, drops, fumbled snaps, and more impressively 100 yard rushers.
Head coach Sean Payton has the big play ability in his offense. Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem’s touchdowns were cat and run scores, providing momentum swinging scores. The defense is no doubt missing the likes of defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, and linebacker Scott Fujita. Credit however the will of the defense as the unit came up with key stops to create punts.
The Saints aren’t playing perfect football. They’re not playing good football at times. They are playing winning football. 2009’s version of the Black and Gold appear to have that never say die mentality. Seem to have big play making ability that keeps them in games, or wins them. The defense also, while at times bending, seem to be able to stiffen late in the game to make a key play.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was a good win. Carolina is physical and they gave the Saints their best shot. The Saints were wobbled and appeared to be headed for the canvass, but like withstood the blows, sucked it up and found a way to win. It’s a trait that’s seen in every champion. 8-0 at the halfway point of the season. A first half of football that many Saints fans haven’t seen. A balanced ball club, that seems to play like they have something to prove.
GAME BALLS
DT Anthony Hargrove. Big boy made some key plays in the win, perhaps none more impressive than stripping Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams, then recovering the ball and scoring a touchdown to give the Saints a 10 point lead.
DE Will Smith. 4 tackles and a pair of sacks, including a nice strip of Delhomme on 4th and 8 late in the fourth quarter.
QB Drew Brees. Not the best of days for Brees. The Panthers appeared to fluster him Sunday, although it’s something they seem to do every time they play him. Bress stayed true to form, weathering the missed opportunities like fumbled snaps in the red zone that resulted in a field goal, or an interception n the red zone. Brees ended the day with 330 yards and a touchdown.
WR Robert Meachem. The former first round pick is coming into his own. Meachem had 5 catches for 98 yards, including a 54 yards game tying scamper.
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