Quarterback Bryce Young completed 16 of his 26 attempts for 171 yards and a touchdown, marking his first win against the Saints, improving his record to 1-3 in encounters with them. Following the match, head coach Dave Canales did not confirm whether Young would be the starter for the upcoming game against the New York Giants in Munich.
Hubbard had an impressive performance, accumulating a total of 72 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers, now sitting at 2-7, were bolstered by rookie contributors; tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders had a solid outing with four receptions for 87 yards, while wide receiver Xavier Legette secured his fourth touchdown of the season. This win was particularly sweet for the Panthers, as they sought to bounce back from a humiliating 47-10 defeat to the Saints earlier in the season.
For the Saints, Alvin Kamara was a standout performer, amassing 215 total yards from scrimmage. He rushed 29 times for 155 yards and added six catches for 60 yards to his tally. However, the team’s struggles continued as quarterback Derek Carr faced difficulties in his return after a three-game absence due to an oblique injury. Carr completed 18 of 31 passes for 236 yards, throwing one touchdown.
The Saints were further hindered by the exit of their leading receiver, Chris Olave, who left the game in the first quarter due to a concussion after a hard hit from Panthers safety Xavier Woods. Olave was later taken to a hospital for observation but was later discharged to travel home with the team, showing all signs of full extremity movement as confirmed by the medical staff.
As the game progressed, the Panthers found themselves behind by five points but managed to stage a comeback. On a crucial third-and-10 situation, Young connected with Legette for a 26-yard gain, setting the stage for a go-ahead drive. A pass interference call on Demario Davis then awarded the Panthers another first down, paving the way for Hubbard’s second touchdown.
The Saints had an opportunity to clinch the game with a field goal attempt in the closing two minutes, but the Panthers’ defense held strong. Jadeveon Clowney made a pivotal sack on Carr during a second down, and Dane Jackson thwarted a critical fourth-and-four pass intended for Cedrick Wilson along the sideline, effectively sealing the win for Carolina.
Injury updates revealed that, alongside Olave, Saints center Lucas Patrick also left the game in the second half due to a calf injury. For the Panthers, Legette made a notable return from a hand injury, contributing to the team’s efforts.
Looking ahead, the Saints are set to host the Falcons next Sunday, while the Panthers will travel to Munich to take on the Giants in their next matchup.