The Panthers have come back to take the lead on the Saints, and it could have been bigger.
After the Saints put together a clinical first drive, some uncharacteristic offensive mistakes allowed the Panthers back in, and they lead 14-13 in the second.
First was a Drew Brees interception which was returned for a touchdown by Panthers safety Charles Godfrey, but he also had touchdown passes dropped by Lance Moore and Jimmy Graham, settling for a field goal when a touchdown seemed apparent.
Of course, the Panthers also gave points away when Cam Newton’s fourth-down attempt came up short, after he was bottled up and tried an awkward pitch.
But the Panthers’ offense finally began to look like itself, with a 74-yard touchdown drive capped by a screen pass to Jonathan Stewart.
This one has the looks of a game that will be played in the 30s in both direction.