Panthers outlast Saints to maintain unbeaten mark

NEW ORLEANS – The Carolina Panthers overcame three turnovers Sunday to come from behind and remain the only undefeated team in the NFL, beating the New Orleans Saints in a 41-38 shootout in the Superdome.

The game featured several lead changes, the first blocked extra-point attempt returned for a score in NFL history, and an odd mix of scintillating and disappointing offense. All in all, it eliminated any doubt Carolina (12-0) has earned its spot atop the standings. The Panthers wrapped up the NFC South earlier in the day when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton took several hard shots but outdueled his Saints counterpart in Drew Brees. Newton threw for five touchdowns and should have had more: he was victimized by drops throughout the afternoon, including two would-be scores by wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., one of them a gorgeous rainbow from Newton that should have resulted in a 72-yard touchdown.

Carolina dominated the stat sheet. The Panthers fell just short of putting up 500 yards of offense (497), got 33 first downs to the Saints’ 21, and controlled the ball for 36:34 despite giving New Orleans (4-8) extra possessions.

Despite his drops, Ginn had two touchdown grabs, including a 45-yarder that put the Panthers ahead 34-31 with 11:54 left in the game. That margin proved insufficient for the win in an explosive, see-saw second half, however. On the Saints' next possession, Brees promptly marched them right back down the field on a drive that ended with Mark Ingram’s 9-yard scoring run to put the Saints up 38-34 with 5:21 remaining.

The Panthers were unfazed. Newton brought them right back down the field and, after Ginn’s second key drop, converted a fourth-and-5 just before the two-minute warning. With 1:05 left, Newton rifled a 15-yard scoring strike to Jerricho Cotchery for the final touchdown.

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