In a dramatic Week 9 NFL matchup on November 3, 2024, at Bank of America Stadium, the Carolina Panthers edged out the New Orleans Saints 23-22, snapping a five-game losing streak while extending the Saints’ skid to seven. This tightly contested NFC South clash, fueled by standout performances from Carolina’s Bryce Young and New Orleans’ Alvin Kamara, showcased resilience and late-game heroics. With both teams at 2-7, the game was a battle for pride, culminating in Chuba Hubbard’s game-winning 16-yard touchdown run. Below is a unique analysis of the player stats, converting table data into narrative form with small tables to highlight key performers.
New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers Match Player Stats
- Sport: American Football (NFL)
- Date: November 3, 2024
- Week: 9 of the 2024 NFL Season
- League: National Football League (NFC South Division Game)
- Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Attendance: 70,292 fans
- Broadcast: CBS at 1:00 PM ET
- Teams: Carolina Panthers (Home) New Orleans Saints (Visitor)
- Winner: Carolina Panthers
- Final Score: Panthers 23, Saints 22
Game Context: A Divisional Thriller in Charlotte
The November 3, 2024, game, broadcast on CBS at 1:00 PM ET with 70,292 fans in attendance, was a pivotal moment for both struggling teams. The Saints, reeling from six straight losses, welcomed back quarterback Derek Carr from an oblique injury, hoping to spark their offense under new coordinator Klint Kubiak. The Panthers, with a 1-7 record, leaned on Bryce Young’s second straight start, aiming for their first back-to-back wins since 2022. The game was a rollercoaster, with New Orleans leading 13-10 at halftime, but Carolina’s late surge, capped by Hubbard’s touchdown with 2:18 remaining, sealed the 23-22 upset. This analysis dives into verified player stats, offering a narrative perspective on the performances that defined the outcome.
New Orleans Saints: Kamara’s Heroics Not Enough
The Saints’ offense, led by Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara, outgained Carolina 427-246 yards, dominating time of possession (34:19 vs. 25:41). Carr, returning after missing three games, completed 18 of 31 passes for 236 yards, throwing one touchdown and no interceptions. His key plays included a 17-yard touchdown pass to Foster Moreau and a 25-yard gain to Juwan Johnson on third-and-11, but a fourth-and-four incompletion at midfield with under a minute left ended their comeback hopes. Taysom Hill was a dual threat, rushing four times for 16 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown in the second quarter—his 30th career rushing score—and catching two passes for 26 yards.
Kamara was the standout, rushing 29 times for 155 yards (5.3 average) and catching six of eight targets for 60 yards, totaling a career-high 215 yards from scrimmage, the highest in the NFL in 2024 and fifth-highest in Saints history. His six receptions moved him past John L. Williams for 11th all-time among running backs. Juwan Johnson caught three passes for 48 yards, including a 25-yard gain, while Foster Moreau had two receptions for 26 yards, including the 17-yard touchdown. Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Chris Olave were limited by injuries—Olave left in the first quarter with a concussion, and Wilson exited with a shoulder issue.
Kicker Blake Grupe was a bright spot, making three field goals (51, 33, and 29 yards), though his efforts couldn’t overcome the late deficit. Defensively, Carl Granderson and Nathan Shepherd combined for a third-down sack on Young, while Shemar Jean-Charles intercepted Young, taking the ball from Xavier Legette. Chase Young denied a two-point conversion with a sack on Young, and Jaylen Ford made key tackles. Despite outrushing Carolina 197-80, the Saints’ 33% third-down conversion rate (4-of-12) and inability to finish drives cost them the game.
Saints Key Performers
| Player | YDS | TD | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alvin Kamara | 215 (155 Rush, 60 Rec) | 0 | 29 Carries, 6/8 Targets, 215 YFS |
| Derek Carr | 236 (Pass) | 1 | 18/31, 17-Yd TD to Moreau |
| Taysom Hill | 16 (Rush), 26 (Rec) | 1 | 7-Yd TD Run, 2/2 Targets |
The Saints’ 427 total yards (236 passing, 197 rushing) and 6.1 yards per play showcased their offensive potential, but injuries to Olave and Wilson limited their passing game. Their defense held Carolina to 246 yards and 1-of-8 third-down conversions, but Hubbard’s late touchdown run exposed late-game vulnerabilities.
Carolina Panthers: Young and Hubbard Deliver
The Panthers’ offense, led by Bryce Young, showed resilience despite being outgained. Young completed 16 of 27 passes for 171 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception, earning a career-high 88.5 PFF passing grade with three big-time throws. His 26-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Legette in the third quarter tied the game at 13-13, though Jean-Charles’ interception halted a drive. Young also rushed five times for 29 yards, including a key scramble, and took the victory formation for the first time in his 20 career starts.
Chuba Hubbard was the game-changer, rushing 15 times for 72 yards and scoring the decisive 16-yard touchdown with 2:18 left. Miles Sanders added six carries for 14 yards, while Raheem Blackshear had two carries for 12 yards. Legette led the receivers with four catches for 56 yards, including the 26-yard touchdown. Tommy Tremble caught three passes for 28 yards, and Adam Thielen had two receptions for 25 yards. Jonathan Mingo and David Moore each contributed one catch, but the passing game leaned on short routes due to New Orleans’ defensive pressure.
Cam Little was perfect on field goals, making three (43, 38, and 36 yards), keeping Carolina in the game early. Defensively, Dane Jackson was stellar, allowing just three catches for 11 yards on four targets and recording four stops. Shaq Thompson led with eight tackles, while Xavier Woods and Jaycee Horn each had five. The defense struggled, allowing 427 yards, but forced a crucial fourth-down stop. The Panthers’ 1-of-8 third-down conversions and minus-1 turnover margin were offset by Hubbard’s clutch run and Young’s efficiency.
Panthers Key Performers
| Player | YDS | TD | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chuba Hubbard | 72 (Rush) | 1 | 15 Carries, 16-Yd Game-Winner |
| Bryce Young | 171 (Pass), 29 (Rush) | 1 | 16/27, 26-Yd TD, 1 INT |
| Xavier Legette | 56 (Rec) | 1 | 4 Catches, 26-Yd TD |
Carolina’s 246 total yards (171 passing, 75 rushing) and 3.5 yards per play reflected their offensive struggles, but Young’s career-best performance and Hubbard’s late heroics were enough. Their defense, ranked 31st, allowed 197 rushing yards but made key stops, including the final fourth-down stand.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The Saints dominated statistically, with 427 total yards to Carolina’s 246 and a 197-75 rushing edge, but their 4-of-12 third-down conversions and injuries to key receivers stalled drives. Carr’s 236 yards and one touchdown outshone Young’s 171 yards, but Young’s 88.5 PFF grade and clutch plays kept Carolina competitive. The Panthers’ 1-of-8 third-down rate was abysmal, but Hubbard’s 16-yard touchdown and Jackson’s defensive stops flipped the script. The Saints’ plus-1 turnover margin (Jean-Charles’ interception) wasn’t enough to overcome Carolina’s 2:18 game-winning drive. Both teams were disciplined, with minimal penalties, but Carolina’s late execution sealed the 23-22 upset.
Defining Moments
The Saints struck first with Grupe’s 29-yard field goal, but Carolina answered with Little’s 43-yarder. Hill’s 7-yard touchdown run gave New Orleans a 13-10 halftime lead, despite Olave’s early exit. Legette’s 26-yard touchdown tied the game in the third, and Moreau’s 17-yard score put the Saints up 20-16. Little’s 38- and 36-yard field goals kept Carolina close, and Hubbard’s 16-yard touchdown with 2:18 left gave them the lead. Carr’s fourth-down incompletion and Gardner’s interception sealed Carolina’s victory, marking Young’s first victory formation snap.
Humanized Narrative: Players Who Shined
This game was a story of redemption and heartbreak. Alvin Kamara’s 215 yards from scrimmage were a masterclass, his 155 rushing yards powering the Saints’ attack despite the loss. Derek Carr’s return brought stability, his 17-yard touchdown to Moreau a highlight, but the final incompletion stung. Taysom Hill’s versatility, with a rushing touchdown and key receptions, kept fans hopeful, while Shemar Jean-Charles’ interception showed defensive grit.
For Carolina, Bryce Young’s 171 yards and career-high PFF grade marked a turning point, his poise under pressure silencing critics. Chuba Hubbard’s 16-yard touchdown run was the stuff of legends, earning praise from coach Dave Canales. Xavier Legette’s 26-yard score and Dane Jackson’s lockdown coverage were unsung heroics, proving the Panthers’ young core has fight. This matchup was about players rising above adversity, with Carolina stealing a rare win.
Why This Game Resonates
For NFL fans searching for Saints vs. Panthers insights, this game highlighted Carolina’s potential under Young and Hubbard, despite their 2-7 record, and exposed New Orleans’ struggles to close games, dropping to 2-7. The Saints’ offensive outburst and Kamara’s historic day offered hope, but their seventh straight loss led to coach Dennis Allen’s firing. Whether you’re a Panthers fan celebrating a gritty win or a Saints supporter lamenting a late collapse, this game delivered drama and lessons for the 2024 season.
