Derek Carr and the Saints Dominate, Dismantle Hapless Panthers

Saints Quarterback Derek Carr had a great game on Sunday. Even though it was the Carolina Panthers, who may have the number one pick again in the 2025 NFL Draft, Carr was phenomenal in tossing three touchdowns in the first half. Carr's first-half performance included a 59-yard bomb to Wide Receiver Rashid Shaheed, leading the Saints to a 30-3 halftime lead.

Carr completed 19 of 23 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns. The Saints' offense was on fire the whole game, which included an incredible 180 yards rushing and a 4.9 yards per carry average. Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams scored a rushing touchdown and Carr's touchdown passes went to Shaheed, Tight Ends Foster Moreau, and Juwan Johnson. Kamara led all players with five receptions, while Shaheed led the way with 73 yards receiving.

Photo byDave AdamsononUnsplash

Saints Defense Is Good...Really Good

On the defensive side, the Saints dominated Bryce Young and the Panthers, allowing only 193 total yards of offense, surrendered ten points, and forced three turnovers. The Saints' defense also generated four sacks and held the Panthers to 1 of 10 on third-down conversions and only 3.5 yards per play. In short, the Saints simply dominated the Panthers, as they should.

New Orleans now sits at 1 - 0 to start the season and only the Buccaneers in the NFC South won to open the season. All the hype surrounding the new look Atlanta Falcons did not manifest into reality on Sunday, as they dropped their Week 1 showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers 18-10. The Falcons' next two opponents are a road matchup with the Eagles, followed by a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Falcons could easily be 0 - 3 when they hit the road to meet these fired-up New Orleans Saints.

This is only the first week of the season, and anything can happen in this division, but the NFC South is up for grabs and the Saints are off on the right foot. However, the schedule doesn't get easier for the Saints either. They travel to Dallas next week, then host the Eagles in Week 3. The Buccaneers don't have it much easier next week with the Detroit Lions, but Week 3 gets easier when they host the Denver Broncos.

Saints Expectations For Season

Fans would be wise to avoid any overreactions though as New Orleans dominated one of the worst teams in the league. Bryce Young does not look to be the answer for the Panthers, as he struggles to play the position in the NFL. The plus though, is when you face teams like the Panthers, you have to take care of business and get those easy wins and the Saints did just that.

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Article originally written by Ronnie Eastham