Panthers vs. Saints instant analysis: Josh Norman is going to get paid

Instant analysis from the Carolina Panthers’ 27-22 victory against New Orleans:

Josh Norman is going to get paid.

The fourth-year cornerback keeps elevating his play.

Norman was fairly quiet for much of the game. But he preserved the victory when he went up for a beautiful interception of Luke McCown in the end zone with 1:09 remaining.

McCown was trying to hit Brandin Cooks. Norman had other ideas.

This just in: Norman is in a contract year and wants to be paid like one of the game’s top corners.

Prediction: The way he’s playing, the Panthers can’t afford to let him go. He’ll get a long-term deal worth at least $10 million a season.

▪  The Panthers don’t have a No. 1 wideout, but they have a No. 1 target.

Remember when tight end Greg Olsen was targeted only three times in Week 1 at Jacksonville. That seems like a long time ago.

Olsen was over 100 receiving yards at halftime and wound up with eight receptions for a career-high 134 yards. Olsen caught two touchdowns and his 52-yard reception tied a career long.

Olsen has saved some of his best days for the Saints. He had 10 catches against them last year in New Orleans.

▪  The Panthers are getting banged-up a bit on defense.

Defensive end Charles Johnson left the game in the second half with a hamstring injury, presumably the same one that kept him out of two practices last week and sidelined him during the 2014 preseason.

Outside linebacker Thomas Davis had a big day, but appeared to injure his shoulder while forcing a fumble on tight end Benjamin Watson.

Davis was in and out of the game for much of the second half. He was on the sideline for the Saints’ final drive when the Panthers went with A.J. Klein and Shaq Thompson at linebacker.

And the Panthers still haven’t said – and might not know – when they’ll get middle linebacker Luke Kuechly out of the concussion protocol.

This story was originally published September 27, 2015 at 4:23 PM with the headline "Panthers vs. Saints instant analysis: Josh Norman is going to get paid."