Saints defeat Panthers, 30-27

October 9, 2011

Updated 4:16 p.m.

Last heave by Cam Newton is incomplete. Saints come back to win on the road. Drew Brees finished 32-45 for 359 yards and two touchdown passes. He finished the game-winning drive completing 6-of-7 passes for 65 yards and a 6-yard pass to Pierre Thomas, sealing the victory.

The Panthers have scored more than 20 points in 4-of-5 games this season, but have lost everyone one of those games. The only game they did not score more than 20, they won 16-10 against Jacksonville.

Updated 4:08 p.m.

0:33 remaining. Panthers on the Saints 45-yard line. One timeout remaining. If Carolina can get to the 37 or 38-yard line, it would set kicker Olindo Mare up for a 55-yard field goal attempt. Little wind at the stadium.

Catch by Legedu Naanee reviewed and reversed. Panthers at their own 39-yard line.

Updated 4:01 p.m.

Drew Brees completes a 6-yard pass to Pierre Thomas for a touchdown with 0:50 remaining in the game. Drive is 13 plays, 89 yards in 6:16. Saints lead, 30-27. Panthers have all three timeouts.

Updated 3:57 p.m.

The two-minute warning hits with the Saints at the 17-yard line. New Orleans needs a touchdown to take the lead.

Updated 3:52 p.m.

Saints driving into Panthers territory. Less than four minutes remaining in the game. Saints still trail, 27-23.

Updated 3:47 p.m.

Panthers punt with 7:14 remaining in the game. Darren Sproles fair catches at the 11-yard line. Saints take over with 7:06 left in the game, trailing 27-23.

Updated 3:40 p.m.

Saints forced to punt. Panthers take over with 10:07 remaining in fourth quarter.

Updated 3:33 p.m.

Panthers cap 11-play, 59-yard drive in 4:56 with 5-yard touchdown pass from Cam Newton to Greg Olsen. Panthers lead 27-23.

Updated 3:24 p.m.

Cam Newton converts 3rd down and 2 with a 4-yard run. Panthers drive to 19-yard line. Third quarter ends. Saints lead 23-20 heading to final quarter of play.

Updated 3:20 p.m.

Sherrod Martin intercepts Drew Brees at the 41-yard line. Panthers start 1st and 10 with 2:28 remaining in the half.

Updated 3:14 p.m.

Panthers drive 80 yards in 12 plays in 7:04. Big play is 20-yard pass from Cam Newton to Brandon LaFell to the 1-yard line. Play initially ruled a touchdown, but overturned by replay. Ball spotted at 1-yard line. Drive ends when Cam Newton runs in for 1-yard touchdown. Saints lead 23-20 after extra point by Olindo Mare. 3:43 remaining in the third quarter.

Updated 3:00 p.m.

Saints drive 61 yards in 10 plays, tack on 37-yard field goal by John Kasay. Saints lead 23-13 with 10:47 remaining in the third quarter.

New Orleans leads Carolina 20-13 at halftime.

The Saints drove into Panthers territory as the half ended, and John Kasay booted a 46-yard field goal to round out the first half scoring. The Saints carried momentum across midfield, but a Greg Hardy sack of Drew Brees helped stuff New Orleans' hopes of driving deep.

In the first half, Cam Newton hit Steve Smith for a 54-yard touchdown pass, and DeAngelo Williams broke away for a 69-yard touchdown run.

Updated 2:35 p.m.

DeAngelo Williams scampered 69 yards for a touchdown with 3:47 remaining before halftime. Olindo Mare's extra point draws the Panthers within 17-13.

On the play, Cam Newton looked to be stuffed by the Saints defense but saw Williams and pitched the ball to the running back. Williams did the rest, eluding tacklers down the sideline.

Updated 2:20 p.m.

New Orleans methodically drove the field, capping a 14-play, 86-yard drive with a 1-yard Mark Ingram touchdown run with 5:27 to play before halftime. John Kasay's kick gives the Saints a 17-6 lead with just more than five minutes remaining before halftime. The Saints' drive took more than eight minutes off the game clock.

Updated 2:15 p.m.

The Panthers are on the board after Cam Newton hit Steve Smith for a 54-yard touchdown pass with 2:52 to play in the opening quarter. Carolina kicker Olindo Mare's extra-point attempt was blocked, leaving New Orleans with a 10-6 lead.

Saints safety Roman Harper hit Smith late on the touchdown catch. A personal foul penalty meant Mare kicked off from midfield.

New Orleans held a 10-6 lead after the first quarter. Newton completed 5 of 8 passes in the quarter for 94 yards for Carolina, with the touchdown to Smith and an interception on the opening play from scrimmage.

Updated 1:40 p.m.

The Saints' first offensive drive stalls at the 5-yard line. Kicker John Kasay knocks a 23-yard field goal down the middle of the uprights, giving New Orleans a 10-0 lead with 6:15 to play in the opening quarter.

Earlier on the drive, New Orleans running back Darren Sproles broke free for a long run. He was caught from behind by defensive end Charles Johnson, who knocked the ball loose. The Panthers recovered the fumble, but officials overturned the call after a review. The Saints retained possession at the Carolina 28.

Updated 2 p.m.

Carolina moved into Saints territory on 13- and 18-yard runs by DeAngelo Williams, but a short Newton run, a short pass to Jeremy Shockey and an incomplete pass lead to a Panthers punt.

Updated 1:15 p.m.

New Orleans jumped on the Panthers early as Patrick Robinson picked off Cam Newton in the opening minute, and the Saints converted the turnover into a 1-yard pass from Drew Brees to Jed Collins.

John Kasay's extra point gave the Saints a 7-0 lead.