Panthers vs. Saints score: Live updates, game stats, highlights, NFL live stream for ‘Monday Night Football’

The New Orleans Saints moved to 2-0 on Monday night, as they defeated the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, 20-17. As the final score indicates, this matchup did not feature two high-flying offenses that moved the ball at will. Both defenses controlled the tempo, but ultimately, the better unit won out.

No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young struggled in his first home game and heard it at times from Panthers fans. He completed 22 of 33 passes for 153 yards and one touchdown, and was sacked four times. The Alabama product did lead an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter, converting a two-point conversion to cut the deficit to three points, but Carolina was unable to recover the ensuing onside kick. Adam Thielen was Young’s favorite target, as the former Viking caught seven passes for 54 yards and one touchdown.  

It wasn’t the cleanest game for Derek Carr and Co., but a win is a win. Carr completed 21 of 36 passes for 228 yards and one interception, while Chris Olave caught six passes for a game-high 86 yards. Running back Jamaal Williams left the game in the first half with a hamstring injury, and in stepped Tony Jones Jr., who rushed 12 times for 34 yards and two second-half touchdowns. Taysom Hill was also effective on the ground, rushing nine times for 75 yards.

The Saints offense found their groove late in the second half, as Carr engineered two touchdown drives of 70-plus yards that ultimately won them the game. Check back soon, as this article will be turned into a takeaways piece which dives more deeply into what happened in Carolina.