Cam Newton accounted for the fifth lead change of the second half with his fifth touchdown pass of the game, and the Saints’ hopes fizzled with a fourth-and-10 incompletion to Cooks that sealed a 41-38 loss at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) dives for a eight-yard touchdown run as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antone Exum (32) defensive tackle Tom Johnson (92) try to bring him down in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015 in Minneapolis.
The Saints last week returned from a bye and failed to score a touchdown for the first time since the coach and quarterback arrived in New Orleans in 2006.
The Saints (4-8) were led by Drew Brees who completed 24-of-42 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns. That’s what unbeaten teams do. “But we’ll put the (championship) hats down after we finish celebrating and we’ll get back to work this week”. That doesn’t happen. You can’t wake up and get out of bed and say, ‘I think we’re going to go 12-0’. “We have a very resilient group of guys who take the good with the bad, and that gave us a chance to win the game”.
Leading the Panthers’ fightback twice from fourth-quarter deficits, Newton finished 28 of 41 for 331 yards.
In NFL news, the Carolina Panthers have won their third straight NFC South division championship thanks in large part to their undefeated season and the sudden downfall of Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons. “I am really proud of what he did and the confidence with which he played”.
Three plays earlier, Newton completed a fourth and four pass for 16 yards to tight end Greg Olsen to keep the winning drive alive.
Newton passed for five touchdowns but also took several big hits, including one that sent him to the locker room to be checked by an independent neurosurgeon for a possible concussion. “He kept looking at me in the eye to make sure I was focused”.
The Panthers moved 30 yards in three plays, the last of them a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery. But Kevin Williams blocked Graham Gano’s extra point and Anthony returned it all the way for two points to give the Saints a 16-13 lead at the half. “It tells you a lot about the parity in this league, and just how evenly matched everyone is, especially when you start talking about divisional opponents”, Brees said. When a play that would win the game had to be made, they made it. Despite dropped passes and missed throws, Cam Newton drove the Panthers to two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Ginn had five receptions for 80 yards and two TDs. Ingram had 56 yards on 12 carries and one score for the Saints. The pass floated too softly and Olsen – who was luckily pretty open – contorted and made a circus catch before rolling with the ball, losing control but maintaining possession.
New Orleans’ defense produced three turnovers and a touchdown in the first half.
Byrd had a noticeable miscommunication with embattled Saints cornerback Brandon Browner on Ginn’s first touchdown of the day coming in the third quarter.
Anthony scored when he ripped the ball away from Stewart as the running back tried to push through a pile of players.
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Darren Sproles returned a punt 83 yards for the Eagles’ second special teams touchdown, giving Philadelphia a 21-point lead before the Patriots came charging back.
