Panthers-Saints live updates: Sam Darnold, Carolina fall to New Orleans at Superdome

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The Panthers are Sam Darnold’s team. Again.

For the first time since Carolina’s Week 9 home loss to the New England Patriots when he injured his shoulder, Darnold started again for the Panthers in their 4:25 p.m. game at the New Orleans Saints. If he can lead the Panthers to a win, it would snap a five-game losing streak that has seen Cam Newton start at quarterback for all five.

The last win the Panthers had came in Week 10 at Arizona, 34-10. P.J. Walker got the start in that game with Newton relieving him in select packages, recording a passing and rushing touchdown.

There’s not much on the line for the Panthers today other than draft position. Entering Sunday, Carolina held the No. 7 pick in the 2022 draft. New Orleans, however, still has an outside chance at making the playoffs.

The Observer has four journalists covering today’s Panthers-Saints game, including beat reporters Jonathan M. Alexander and Ellis Williams and columnist Scott Fowler. We’ll have you covered here for live updates throughout the afternoon on this page (refresh for the latest) and expanded coverage on CharlotteObserver.com after the game.

What’s the Panthers vs Saints score right now?

Two-minute follies seal Panthers loss

Faced with a 60-yard field with two minutes to play, the Panthers struggled to get a four-yard first down, and then went backwards on a 9-yard sack of Darnold. On the 2nd-and-19 play, Darnold tried deep over the middle and was nearly picked. They tried to go deep right side again on third down, and while the ball fell incomplete, a penalty gave the Panthers life and a first down with 1:00 to play.

And he was again sacked. Again by Cameron Jordan. That gave hims 3.5 sacks on the day.

Darnold then threw a pick on the Panthers’ final play of the game to seal the loss.

One last gasp for Darnold, Panthers

As the teams hit the two-minute warning, the Panthers trail by eight. They have a 2nd-and-4 at their own 40-yard line, and all three timeouts. The catch? Carolina needs a TD and a 2-point conversion to tie and force OT.

Saints extend lead on Kamara TD

Alvin Kamara had bee stymied by the Panthers all season/ He had four total yards in the teams’ previous meeting, and had five rushing yards in this one — until he broke out for a 30-yard run to get the Saints into the red zone. He then caught a quick pass from Hill on the right side and scampered into the end zone for a 12-yard score. Though the extra point was no good, the Saints still took an 8-point lead. Saints 18, Panthers 10.

Panthers miss FG

Hajrullahu, who who a short field goal earlier in the game, miusses from 47 in an attempt to put the Panthers back in front. The Saints take over with 12:09 to play from their own 37 and a chance to add more points to their precarious 2-point advantage.

Saints kick another FG

And just like that, even without scoring a touchdown again (a streak that is now nearly three games long, the Saints have taken the lead on the fourth FG of the day from Maher. The Saints can’t move the ball well this half, either, but they’re starting on a shorter field and have done JUST enough to score points. Saints 12, Panthers 10.

Panthers, Saints offenses stalling

Two times, the Panthers stuffed the Saints and forced punts, two times they took over inside their own 20, and two times the Saints defense held again. The Panthers’ offense is all of a sudden completely stuck in the mud, and cannot move the ball. Two 3-and-outs to start the second half for Carolina. The Saints not having much better luck.

Panthers stuff Saints’ opening drive of 2nd half

The Saints started the second half with the ball, and held onto the rock for more than five minutes. But the Panthers defense bent and then held, forcing a 4th down. After some confusion by the officials, and then a challenge from the Panthers on the spot of an intentional grounding foul against the Saints (The Panthers won coach Matt Rhule’s challenge), the Saints changed from attempting a field goal of 56 yards to punting. Long pause in the action, but ultimately beneficial to the Panthers.

Saints add a FG at the half

Brett Maher boots his third field goal of the afternoon to pull the Saints within a point as the clock ticks to halftime in New Orleans. Sloppy last few minutes for the Panthers but overall, a good half for Carolina, which goes into halftime leading. Panthers 10, Saints 9.

Panthers force Saints FG on short field

What could have been disaster for the Panthers turned out only mildly annoying ... for now. The Saints had the ball at the Carolina 13 to start a drive after a Sam Darnold fumble, but a stuffed Kamara run, a short completion for 4 yards and then an incomplete pass intended for Kamara, the Saints booted a chip shot FG to salvage some points. But the Panthers retained the lead. Panthers 10, Saints 6.

Sam Darnold sacked, fumbles

Aaaand there went the solid start for Darnold in two downs. One play after his first incomplete pass, Darnold was hit from behind by PJ Williams. Davenport recovered for the Saints, who took over at the Carolina 13.

Chuba Hubbard TD for the Panthers

On the first play from scrimmage following Cam Newton’s one play in the game, Sam Darnold tossed right to Chuba Hubbard, who scampered 21 yards into the right side of the end zone. The extra point was good, and the Panthers, looking to play spoiler, are ahead. Panthers 10, Saints 3.

Cam Newton sighting

Cam Newton entered the game with about 13:40 to play in the second quarter. He ran around the right side for a 5-yard gain, a play that ended with an injury to the Saints’ PJ Williams.

End of first quarter: Panthers driving

The Panthers are controlling the clock perfectly. They’ve had the ball twice in the first quarter, the Saints just once, and Carolina still has the ball when the second quarter starts. Saints can’t hurt you if they don’t have the ball. The most recent Panthers drive has lasted nine plays and gone just 21 yards over 4:05.

Darnold was 7-for-7 for 64 yards in the first quarter. Hasn’t thrown it downfield more than 10 yards yet, but has also avoided all mistakes.

Saints answer Panthers FG

The Saints still haven;t scored an opening-drive TD this season, but they got close enough to add three points to the scoreboard and even the game at 3-3. Maher hit from 41 yards. Key plays on the drive were passes of 29 yards (Hill to Kamara) and 14 yards (also Hill to Kamara). Panthers 3, Saints 3.

First drive, first points for Panthers

Sam Darnold found an early rhythm, the offensive line made adequate blocks, and the Panthers carried their first drive into the red zone, buoyed by two third-down pickups. They came into the game 27th in the league in third-down conversions, so that was a good sign out of the gate. Still, the drive stalled at the New Orleans 15, and Carolina settled for the field goal. Points are points. Panthers 3, Saints 0.

Coin toss

The Saints won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. Carolina received the opening kickoff and will move left to right across your screen.

Panthers vs. Saints inactives

PANTHERS: Stephon Gilmore, Sean Chandler, Azur Kamara, Cameron Erving, Deonte Brown, Austin Larkin.

SAINTS: Erik McCoy (COVID-19), Marcus Williams (COVID-19), Tre’Quan Smith (Chest), Terron Armstead (Knee), Mark Ingram (Knee), Bradley Roby (Shoulder), Ian Book.

What’s the betting line on the Panthers-Saints game?

New Orleans is a 6.5-point favorite against Carolina. The over/under is set at 37.

Sam Darnold is starting over Cam Newton

Panthers coach Matt Rhule announced Wednesday that Darnold will start today in New Orleans and Cam Newton will serve as the backup. Darnold is the only Carolina quarterback who is under contract for next season, and with the Panthers already out of the playoff chase, this move gives them more time to work with a player who will be wearing black and blue in fall of 2022.

Observer columnist Scott Fowler wrote today about why he thinks this is the right decision.

What radio station is the Panthers game on?

Here is a list of Panthers Radio Network affiliates to listen to the Panthers vs. Saints Week 17 NFL game.

How to watch the Saints vs Panthers game

Today’s 4:25 p.m. kickoff between the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome in Louisiana is being broadcast on FOX. If you’re watching in Charlotte, that means WJZY-Fox 46. The Panthers-Saints NFL game can be streamed online with a subscription to YouTube TV or Hulu+ Live TV, so long as you are viewing from inside the broadcast footprint — a map of which can be found below in green via 506 Sports.

This story was originally published January 2, 2022 at 3:06 PM.

Matt L. Stephens

The Charlotte Observer

Matt L. Stephens is the Senior Sports Editor for The Charlotte Observer and oversees sports coverage for the Raleigh News & Observer, The State in Columbia, S.C., and McClatchy’s other properties across the Southeast. Before coming to Charlotte in July 2019, Matt was an award-winning editor, columnist and investigative reporter at The Denver Post and Fort Collins Coloradoan.