Brees, defensive stand, help Saints survive Panthers, 31-26
Drew Brees passed for 376 yards and two touchdowns, and the New Orleans Saints held off Carolina's late comeback bid to seal a 31-26 victory in their NFC wild-card game on Sunday.
National Football League
FINAL
Carolina Panthers
26
New Orleans Saints
31
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAR | 0 | 9 | 3 | 14 | 26 |
| NO | 7 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 31 |
Caesars Superdome · 73,186 att.
Match Report
Last five matches
| Date | Opp | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/8/26 | vs Denver Broncos | L 21-26 | NFL |
| 10/29/26 | @ Green Bay Packers | L 19-27 | NFL |
| 10/25/26 | vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 13-43 | NFL |
| 10/18/26 | @ Philadelphia Eagles | W 25-14 | NFL |
| 10/4/26 | vs Detroit Lions | W 32-26 | NFL |
| Full Schedule | |||
Play by Play
-
Touchdown 4:09 26-31
Christian McCaffrey 56 Yd pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano Kick)
-
Touchdown 5:08 19-31
Alvin Kamara 2 Yd Run (Wil Lutz Kick)
-
Touchdown 12:47 19-24
Greg Olsen 14 Yd pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano Kick)
-
Field Goal 6:05 12-24
Wil Lutz 57 Yd Field Goal
-
Field Goal 10:58 12-21
Graham Gano 29 Yd Field Goal
-
Field Goal 0:00 9-21
Graham Gano 58 Yd Field Goal
-
Touchdown 0:43 6-21
Zach Line 1 Yd Run (Wil Lutz Kick)
-
Field Goal 2:47 6-14
Graham Gano 39 Yd Field Goal
-
Touchdown 9:04 3-14
Josh Hill 9 Yd pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz Kick)
-
Field Goal 14:12 3-7
Graham Gano 27 Yd Field Goal
-
Touchdown 1:46 0-7
Ted Ginn Jr. 80 Yd pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz Kick)
-
NO
1 play, -1 yard, 0:06 · End of Game
-
CAR 0:06
8 plays, 18 yards, 1:45 · Downs
-
NO 1:51
7 plays, 28 yards, 2:18 · Interception
-
CAR 4:09
3 plays, 75 yards, 0:59 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 4:09 26-31
Christian McCaffrey 56 Yd pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano Kick)
-
NO 5:08
5 plays, 62 yards, 3:02 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 5:08 19-31
Alvin Kamara 2 Yd Run (Wil Lutz Kick)
-
CAR 8:10
3 plays, -7 yards, 1:33 · Punt
-
NO 9:43
6 plays, 24 yards, 3:04 · Punt
-
CAR 12:47
8 plays, 68 yards, 3:45 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 12:47 19-24
Greg Olsen 14 Yd pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano Kick)
-
NO 1:32
3 plays, 0 yards, 2:12 · Punt
-
CAR 3:44
3 plays, -3 yards, 2:21 · Punt
-
NO 6:05
10 plays, 36 yards, 4:53 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 6:05 12-24
Wil Lutz 57 Yd Field Goal
-
CAR 10:58
9 plays, 64 yards, 4:02 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 10:58 12-21
Graham Gano 29 Yd Field Goal
-
CAR
5 plays, 35 yards, 0:43 · Field Goal
-
NO 0:43
8 plays, 75 yards, 2:04 · Touchdown
-
Field Goal 0:00 9-21
Graham Gano 58 Yd Field Goal
-
Touchdown 0:43 6-21
Zach Line 1 Yd Run (Wil Lutz Kick)
-
CAR 2:47
12 plays, 54 yards, 6:17 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 2:47 6-14
Graham Gano 39 Yd Field Goal
-
NO 9:04
9 plays, 75 yards, 5:08 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 9:04 3-14
Josh Hill 9 Yd pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz Kick)
-
CAR 14:12
6 plays, 66 yards, 2:34 · Field Goal
-
Field Goal 14:12 3-7
Graham Gano 27 Yd Field Goal
-
NO 1:46
2 plays, 80 yards, 0:18 · Touchdown
-
Touchdown 1:46 0-7
Ted Ginn Jr. 80 Yd pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz Kick)
-
CAR 2:04
15 plays, 63 yards, 7:37 · Missed FG
-
NO 9:41
3 plays, 5 yards, 1:10 · Punt
-
CAR 10:51
4 plays, 16 yards, 2:13 · Punt
-
NO 13:04
3 plays, 4 yards, 1:56 · Punt
Showing the last 33 of 33 events.
Team Stats
CAR
NO
24
1st Downs
21
16
Passing 1st downs
17
5
Rushing 1st downs
3
3
1st downs from penalties
1
8-17
3rd down efficiency
2-8
1-2
4th down efficiency
0-1
71
Total Plays
56
413
Total Yards
410
5.8
Yards per Play
7.3
11
Total Drives
11
306
Passing
369
24/41
Comp/Att
23/33
6.8
Yards per pass
10.9
0
Interceptions thrown
1
4-43
Sacks-Yards Lost
1-7
107
Rushing
41
26
Rushing Attempts
22
4.1
Yards per rush
1.9
1-4
Red Zone (Made-Att)
3-3
2-18
Penalties
7-96
0
Turnovers
1
0
Fumbles lost
0
0
Interceptions thrown
1
0
Defensive / Special Teams TDs
0
33:49
Possession
26:11
Highlights
Injuries
New Orleans Saints
- Travis Etienne Jr. Questionable
- Erik McCoy Out
- Christen Miller Injured Reserve
- Taliese Fuaga Out
- Martin Emerson Jr. Questionable
Carolina Panthers
- Brady Christensen Injured Reserve
- Mike Jackson Injured Reserve
- Jonathon Brooks Injured Reserve
- Xavier Legette Questionable
- Will Lee III Questionable
NFL News
All news
News
Saints RB Travis Etienne Jr. activated off IR for game vs. Panthers
The New Orleans Saints activated running back Travis Etienne Jr. off injured reserve prior to their game against the Carolina Panthers, the team announced Saturday.
News
Patriots place RB TreVeyon Henderson on IR with still unexplained illness
The Patriots placed RB TreVeyon Henderson on injured reserve while he deals with an unexplained neurological issue.
News
Steelers activate DT Derrick Harmon from IR ahead of key Bengals clash
The Steelers have activated defensive tackle Derrick Harmon from injured reserve after he missed the past four games with a foot injury.
News
DE Danielle Hunter, LB Azeez Al-Shaair among Texans ruled out vs. Browns
The Texans will be without a number of key starters -- including running back David Montgomery and All-Pro defensive end Danielle Hunter -- when they travel to face the Browns.