Panthers Hold On For 23-20 Win Over Saints

By ESPN

When Luke Kuechly was carted off the field with a concussion, the tears streaming down his face as he left, it appeared the Carolina Panthers might be ready for another collapse.

Their defensive leader was gone and another big fourth-quarter lead was crumbling.

Instead, the Panthers did just enough to hold on and beat the New Orleans Saints 23-20 on Thursday night in a game marred by injuries to key players.

When Kuechly went down the lead was at 10, and players gathered around him as he was put on a cart near midfield. Carolina would give up another score, but hold on for itsr third win in four games.

"We rally behind that guy," defensive end Charles Johnson said about Kuechly. "He's our leader. When you see a leader go down like that, we just rally behind him. I'm keeping Luke in my prayers."

The Panthers, who surrendered a 17-point lead and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs last week, entered the fourth quarter with a 23-3 lead before injuries began to take their toll. Along with Kuechly, the Panthers lost two-time All-Pro center Ryan Kalil (shoulder), top pass rusher Mario Addison (foot) and cornerback Leonard Johnson (chest) to injuries. The Saints lost running back Mark Ingram to a head injury in the third quarter.

"It was the Grim Reaper walking around out there," Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees seemed to seize the momentum.

Brees, who had been held to 171 yards and no touchdowns in the first three quarters, rallied the Saints back to 23-20 with touchdown passes to Brandon Coleman and Coby Fleener.

But an 18-yard reception by Kelvin Benjamin on a third-and-10 with 2:39 left in the game proved pivotal, taking enough time off the clock where Brees only had 14 seconds to work with on his final drive. He couldn't manage to get his team into field goal range.

Newton finished 14 of 33 for 192 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn Jr. as the Panthers (4-6) pulled even with the Saints for third place in the NFC South.

Sunday, November 20 Schedule (All Times Central)

Pittsburgh at Cleveland, noon

Baltimore at Dallas, noon

Jacksonville at Detroit, noon

Tennessee at Indianapollis, noon

Buffalo at Cincinnati, noon

Tampa Bay at Kansas City, noon

Chicago at New York Giants, noon

Arizona at Minnesota, noon

Miami at Los Angeles, 3:05 p.m.

New England at San Francisco, 3:25 p.m.

Philadelphia at Seattle, 3:25 p.m.

Green Bay at Washington, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, November 21 Schedule (Time Central)

Houston at Oakland, 7:30 p.m.