1st Quarter:
RECAP: And the Matt Moore era begins. Already without Jake Delhomme, the Panthers lost quarterback David Carr to a back injury near the end of the first quarter. On the scoreboard, the team’s trade short field goals. The Saints outgained the Panthers 110-40. The Panthers were eld to 6 yards rushing on six carries.
BIG PLAY: The Saints were driving when Marshall came up with Carolina’s first interception of the season and returned it 34 yards.
BIG MISTAKE: On a third-and-7 at the Carolina 44, two Carolina players jumped off-sides and then inexplicably stopped playing. Brees took advantage of the free play and threw over the middle for a 28-yard gain.
COMMENT: Through 13 quarters, Brees has thrown eight interceptions and only one touchdown. A year ago Brees had 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the season.
SCORE: Carolina 3, New Orleans 3
2nd Quarter:
RECAP: The Panthers are hanging in there at despite an injury to Carr (he returned to the game in the second quarter) and being outgained 177-112 in the first half. If you take away a 43-yard pass from Moore to Keary Colbert the Panthers are averaging 3.4 yards per play. The two teams again traded short field goals in the second quarter.
BIG PLAY: Moore’s downfield strike to Colbert helped lift the Panthers to a John Kasay field goal and a 6-3 lead.
BIG MISTAKE: Saints left tackle Jammal Brown was called for illegal procedure, nullifying a 10-yard touchdown pass from Brees to Aaron Stecker.
COMMENT: The Panthers have picked up where they left off last week in terms of sputtering on offense. It’s a good thing the defense came to play today. The switch of Jon Beason to middle linebacker has helped this defense.
SCORE: Carolina 6, New Orleans 6
3rd Quarter:
RECAP: Carolina’s offense continues to struggle and the defense simply can’t get off the field, victimized by some costly penalties. The Panthers had the Saints backed up deep in their own territory when Damione Lewis was flagged for a roughing the passer penalty on Brees on second-and-long. That gave the Saints a new set of downs. Three plays later, Thomas Davis was flagged for defensive holding, allowing the Saints to convert another first down.
BIG PLAY: On the Saints first possession of the second half, Drew Brees hooked up with Devery Henderson on a 54-yard completion to set up a 2-yard touchdown run by fullback Mike Karney. Later, the Saints fake a punt and pick up a first down on fourth-and-4 as punter Steve Weatherford runs for a first down to keep a drive alive.
BIG MISTAKE: Travelle Wharton was flagged for a holding penalty nullifying a dazzling 18-yard reception by Smith that would have got them in New Orleans territory.
COMMENT: The Panthers defense had played well up until the big play to Henderson. The offense is having a terrible time getting Steve Smith involved in the offense. He has just two catches for 20 yards. At this point in the game, the Saints have 305 yards and 19 first downs; the Panthers have 142 and four first downs. The Saints have converted 7-of-12 third downs; the Panthers are 0-for-6.
SCORE: New Orleans 13, Carolina 6