Saints Score First Defensive 2-Point Conversion In NFL History

Cam Newton threw for five touchdown and delivered a 15-yard fastball to Jerricho Cotchery for a TD with 1:05 left to help the Panthers stay undefeated in a 41-38 win over the Saints.

“Obviously it’s a disappointing loss and it’s frustrating”, Payton said.

New Orleans (4-7) has had arguably the worst defense in the National Football League this season.

CHIEFS 34, RAIDERS 20: Jeremy Maclin had two touchdowns catches after fourth-quarter interceptions and Tyvon Branch returned a third interception from Derek Carr for a clinching score against his former team as visiting Kansas City (7-5) got its sixth straight win.

KEEPING THE FAITH: Ginn said he had no excuse for dropping a pair of passes that had the potential to go for touchdowns, but appreciated that Newton went back to him for his two second-half TDs. Coincidentally, the last Saints player to do it was linebacker Jonathan Vilma, against these same Panthers. Greg Olsen now has more catches than any TE in team history.

With a team going through yet another system change under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, breakdowns in communication have become the norm.

The Panthers’ mantra has been to approach every game as if it is the most important game they’ll ever play.

New Orleans actually roared out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, after Brees hit tight end Benjamin Watson for a 14-yard touchdown, and linebacker Stephone Anthony returned a fumble 31 yards for another score.

Not only did the Panthers improve to 12-0 this season, they extended their overall winning streak to 16 games dating to last season. Yet the underdog Saints led 16-13 at the half.

Byrd had a noticeable miscommunication with embattled Saints cornerback Brandon Browner on Ginn’s first touchdown of the day coming in the third quarter.

On fourth-and-4 on what was the Panthers’ game-winning drive, Newton rolled out to the left sideline and lofted a pass toward Olsen before getting crushed.

“A lot of great things, a lot of great flashes, but that’s been the plague of this season”, defensive end Cameron Jordan said.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is brought down by New Orleans Saints free safety Jairus Byrd (31) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson (center) celebrates with wide receiver John Brown (right) after catching a 22 yard touchdown pass against the St. Louis Rams during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome.

Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third score and Maclin had 95 yards on nine catches to lead the Chiefs.

The Panthers went back in front on Newton’s 45-yard pass to Ginn. “We’ve got to understand that we have to take care of business”. “Just got to keep this train going, man”. “Any time you have injuries, that’s unfortunate, but you have to be able to step in and make plays”.

Newton passed for five touchdowns but also took several big hits, including one that sent him to the locker room to be checked by an independent neurosurgeon for a possible concussion.

The question is whether the Saints can start turning flashes of brilliance into wins.

“That just shows how gritty he is”, Rivera said. “Mathematically, I don’t know what the chances are of us making it to the postseason”.