CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WNCN) – Carolina dug deep into its playbook for its lone touchdown of the game — a 50-yard pass from running back Christian McCaffrey to Chris Manhertz — but couldn’t muster much else in a 12-9 loss to the New Orleans Saints Monday night.
The Panthers’ defense, though, held a high-octane Saints offense without a touchdown until an Alvin Kamara 16-yard score less than three minutes into the fourth quarter. That put New Orleans ahead, 12-7, until Donte Jackson took the 2-point conversion attempt the other way to cut the deficit to a field goal, 12-9.
Carolina buckled down again by forcing a late fumble into the end zone for a touchback. Cam Newton and the Panthers’ offense had 1:44 to at least get a tying field goal, but turned the ball over on downs.
The loss, its sixth in a row, all but eliminates Carolina from postseason contention.
Newton completed 16 of 29 passes for 131 yards. He threw no touchdowns and one interception. McCaffrey led the rushing attack with 15 carries for 53 yards.
Carolina’s offense mustered 247 total yards to New Orleans’ 346.
