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Saints alone atop NFC South after 31-21 win over Panthers
NEW ORLEANS (AP) Saints rookie sensation Alvin Kamara took the brunt of a hard collision near the goal line with Carolina linebacker Shaq Thompson, who is 2 inches taller and 15 pounds heavier than runner he was trying to prevent from scoring on fourth down.
Kamara bounced backward but remained upright, then slithered out of defensive end Wes Horton's ankle grab and dived under linebacker Luke Kuechly's lunge to find the end zone .
''That was just: I've got to get in there by any means,'' Kamara said. ''I got hit and got it on in.''
Kamara added a second tackle-shedding touchdown from 20 yards, New Orleans took advantage of a couple Carolina special teams gaffes, and the Saints reclaimed sole possession of first place in the NFC South with a 31-21 victory over the Panthers on Sunday.
Carolina coach Ron Rivera seemed at a loss to pinpoint what his defense could have done better to stop Kamara, whose production as a runner and receiver as a rookie are placing him in distinguished company.
''You prepare for everything you want, but he has got some elite ability,'' Rivera said.
Kamara finished with 126 yards from scrimmage, capping his day with a serpentine, 22-yard gain on a third-and-10 screen pass at the two-minute warning. The first-down gain allowed New Orleans to run out the clock.
''He's a monster,'' fellow Saints running back Mark Ingram said. ''He's always balling, doing his thing, running and catching. He's definitely the rookie of the year. He's savage. Cold-blooded.''
Carolina entered the game ranked second defensively overall and third against the run, allowing 83.2 yards per game. The Saints rushed for 148 yards, with Ingram gaining 85.
Ingram gained 122 yards from scrimmage, highlighting his day with a 72-yard run that set up his 3-yard TD.
Drew Brees passed for 269 yards, including a 10-yard TD to Michael Thomas a few plays after Panthers punter Michael Palardy lost his handle on the ball as he was about the kick it away. Palardy aborted the punt and threw incomplete, giving New Orleans the ball on the Carolina 31.
In the fourth quarter, a fumble by Panthers punt returner Kaelin Clay near midfield set up Wil Lutz's 31-yard field goal to give New Orleans a 31-14 lead.
Cam Newton passed for 183 yards and touchdowns of 21 yards to Christian McCaffrey and 24 yards to Devin Funchess. Newton also ran for 51 yards . Jonathan Stewart added a short TD run for Carolina, which had its four-game winning streak ended.
The Panthers' comeback attempt was hindered by their inability to convert a fourth-and-6 play deep in Saints territory in the fourth quarter. Newton connected with Funchess, who was stopped a yard short by cornerback Ken Crawley.
''That's a good team,'' Newton said of the Saints, who allowed Carolina to convert only three of 10 third-down plays. ''We just have to move forward, be optimistic of our opportunities knowing that the world just doesn't stop because the Panthers lost today. We have to learn from this.''
MAKING HISTORY
Kamara has touchdowns in six straight games, the first time a Saints rookie has done so in the team's 51-year history. Kamara needs three touchdowns to break George Rogers' rookie franchise record of 13.
Meanwhile, Kamara's 614 yards receiving and 606 yards rushing this season make him one of only three rookies in NFL history to have at least 600 yards as both a runner and receiver, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Charley Taylor and Billy Sims.
Brees, who completed 25 of 34 passes, reached 6,127 career completions, surpassing Peyton Manning (6,125) for the second-most all-time. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre has more with 6,300.
UNCONVENTIONAL DEBUT
Saints rookie quarterback Taysom Hill made his NFL debut - on special teams.
Saints coach Sean Payton said ''it just made sense'' because Hill, who was undrafted out of BYU, is 6-foot-2, 221 pounds and runs well.
Hill had a couple of tackles in kick coverage and almost blocked a punt.
''I love it. What a stud,'' Brees said. ''It's not every day you say, `Hey quarterback who's never played special teams - ever. We're going to have you play in an NFL game and run down on kickoffs and rushing punts and tackling people.'''
INJURIES
Panthers played without tight end Greg Olsen, ruled out before the game because of soreness in his broken foot.
Saints rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore also was scratched for a second straight week as he recovers from a Week 11 ankle injury.
UP NEXT
Panthers: Host Minnesota on Sunday.
Saints: Visit Atlanta on Thursday night.
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Copyright 2017 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
C. Newton
1 QB 183 PaYds, 2 PaTDs, 51 RuYds |
24
FPTS
|
|
A. Kamara
41 RB 60 RuYds, 2 RuTDs, 66 ReYds, 5 RECs |
24
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
C. NewtonÂ
1 QB
24 FPTS
|
C. Newton | 17/27 | 183 | 2 | 0 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. PalardyÂ
5 P
0 FPTS
|
M. Palardy | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
C. NewtonÂ
1 QB
24 FPTS
|
C. Newton | 6 | 51 | 0 | 32 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. StewartÂ
28 RB
10 FPTS
|
J. Stewart | 11 | 45 | 1 | 10 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. McCaffreyÂ
22 RB
10 FPTS
|
C. McCaffrey | 6 | 16 | 0 | 5 | 10 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. FunchessÂ
17 WR
12 FPTS
|
D. Funchess | 7 | 4 | 60 | 1 | 24 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. McCaffreyÂ
22 RB
10 FPTS
|
C. McCaffrey | 6 | 5 | 33 | 1 | 21 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. ShepardÂ
19 WR
2 FPTS
|
R. Shepard | 5 | 3 | 29 | 0 | 19 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. BersinÂ
11 WR
1 FPTS
|
B. Bersin | 2 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. DicksonÂ
84 TE
1 FPTS
|
E. Dickson | 2 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. ClayÂ
12 WR
0 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 1 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. ByrdÂ
18 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Byrd | 2 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. ManhertzÂ
82 TE
0 FPTS
|
C. Manhertz | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Green-ThompsonÂ
54 OLB
0 FPTS
|
S. Green-Thompson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. StewartÂ
28 RB
10 FPTS
|
J. Stewart | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
L. KuechlyÂ
59 MLB
|
L. Kuechly | 8-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AdamsÂ
29 SS
|
M. Adams | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ColemanÂ
20 FS
|
K. Coleman | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WorleyÂ
26 CB
|
D. Worley | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BradberryÂ
24 CB
|
J. Bradberry | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. MayoÂ
55 MLB
|
D. Mayo | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Green-ThompsonÂ
54 OLB
|
S. Green-Thompson | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. SeymourÂ
27 CB
|
K. Seymour | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AddisonÂ
97 DE
|
M. Addison | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PeppersÂ
90 DE
|
J. Peppers | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. CoxÂ
64 DE
|
B. Cox | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ShortÂ
99 DT
|
K. Short | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MunnerlynÂ
41 DB
|
C. Munnerlyn | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. LoveÂ
93 DE
|
K. Love | 1-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DavisÂ
58 OLB
|
T. Davis | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. LotuleleiÂ
98 DT
|
S. Lotulelei | 0-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
G. GanoÂ
9 K
3 FPTS
|
G. Gano | 0/0 | 0 | 3/3 | 3 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. PalardyÂ
5 P
|
M. Palardy | 5 | 43.0 | 2 | 51 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
F. WhittakerÂ
43 RB
0 FPTS
|
F. Whittaker | 2 | 21.0 | 23 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. Clay 12 WR
0 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 3 | 6.7 | 9 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
D. BreesÂ
9 QB
16 FPTS
|
D. Brees | 25/34 | 269 | 1 | 0 | 16 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
M. IngramÂ
22 RB
17 FPTS
|
M. Ingram | 14 | 85 | 1 | 72 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. KamaraÂ
41 RB
24 FPTS
|
A. Kamara | 9 | 60 | 2 | 20 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. GinnÂ
19 WR
2 FPTS
|
T. Ginn | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. BreesÂ
9 QB
16 FPTS
|
D. Brees | 4 | -3 | 0 | 1 | 16 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
M. ThomasÂ
13 WR
13 FPTS
|
M. Thomas | 9 | 5 | 70 | 1 | 32 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. KamaraÂ
41 RB
24 FPTS
|
A. Kamara | 6 | 5 | 66 | 0 | 22 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. IngramÂ
22 RB
17 FPTS
|
M. Ingram | 7 | 6 | 37 | 0 | 11 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
W. SneadÂ
83 WR
3 FPTS
|
W. Snead | 2 | 2 | 31 | 0 | 26 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. ColemanÂ
16 WR
2 FPTS
|
B. Coleman | 2 | 2 | 28 | 0 | 15 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. GinnÂ
19 WR
2 FPTS
|
T. Ginn | 3 | 2 | 27 | 0 | 21 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HillÂ
89 TE
0 FPTS
|
J. Hill | 2 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. LewisÂ
11 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Lewis | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. HoomanawanuiÂ
84 TE
0 FPTS
|
M. Hoomanawanui | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
C. JordanÂ
94 DE
|
C. Jordan | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. WilliamsÂ
26 CB
|
P. Williams | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. CrawleyÂ
20 CB
|
K. Crawley | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DavisonÂ
95 DT
|
T. Davison | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. KleinÂ
53 OLB
|
A. Klein | 3-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. VaccaroÂ
32 SS
|
K. Vaccaro | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. BellÂ
48 FS
|
V. Bell | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. RankinsÂ
98 DT
|
S. Rankins | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. RobertsonÂ
52 OLB
|
C. Robertson | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. BushÂ
25 DB
|
R. Bush | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HughesÂ
92 DT
|
J. Hughes | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. OnyemataÂ
93 DT
|
D. Onyemata | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. MooreÂ
24 CB
|
S. Moore | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. HendricksonÂ
91 DE
|
T. Hendrickson | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Te'oÂ
51 MLB
|
M. Te'o | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
W. LutzÂ
3 K
7 FPTS
|
W. Lutz | 1/2 | 31 | 4/4 | 7 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. MorsteadÂ
6 P
|
T. Morstead | 4 | 46.0 | 1 | 53 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Lewis 11 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Lewis | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 0 |