Panthers LB Luke Kuechly carted off field, checked for concussion

Ingram was injured that quarter on a 13-yard run when he collided with Kurt Coleman as he went down. He threw for 465 yards and four TDs with one interception and has now hit on 66.2 percent of his pass attempt for 5,724 yards with 38 TDs and 18 picks since joining the Saints in 2006.

Tied at 17 in the final minute, Kansas City was forced to punt from its own 26-yard line. You carry yourself through the game with that and pretty soon you’re in the fourth quarter and things get rolling.

After being taken to the Panthers’ locker room in cart, the team announced that Kuechly was being evaluated for a concussion. The Panthers have given up 711 rushing yards on 209 carries for a 3.4 average, which ranks them 2nd in the National Football League in rushing defense. That led to a Santos winning 37-yard field goal as time expired as Carolina’s two-game winning streak ended. Brandin Cooks, who had an 87-yard touchdown catch in the first meeting, could be in for another big night.

Center Ryan Kalil also left the game after aggravating a shoulder injury. Carolina held a 20-3 halftime lead with plenty of help from the Saints. His passion and energy are more irreplaceable than his tackling and ability to make big plays – such as the first-half return of a blocked field-goal attempt that changed the tone of Thursday’s game. It didn’t matter as Cam Newton found Ted Ginn Jr. for a 40-yard TD strike on the next play from scrimmage and the Panthers went on to a 23-20 win.

I am going to throw in a small side bet though on rookie New Orleans wide receiver Michael Thomas to score a touchdown anytime. Peters tied for the National Football League lead with eight interceptions.

I know some people can’t stand the words, “must-win game”, but Thursday’s game for the New Orleans Saints really is a must-win game. He’s been leading the team in targets and catches the past couple of games and after he blew last week’s game against the Chiefs with the fumble he will want to make up for it. Pass rush specialist Mario Addison has three sacks in last two games.

The Panthers (3-6) were held scoreless in the second half of their 20-17 loss to Kansas City, which kicked at field goal to win after scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter. The Saints are dead last in yards passing allowed with 292.7 per game. “I’ve been on a 10-6 team where we did not get in the playoffs”. However, the kick was blocked and Will Parks ran the ball 85 yards for a two point score, securing Denver’s 25-23 win. Meanwhile, Carolina has gone 3-6 ATS when facing divisional opponents within that same time frame. In the three games that Newton has started against a team that ranks outside of the top 10 in points allowed, Carolina is averaging 39 points.

Saints front seven vs. Panthers QB Cam Newton.

Offered a golden opportunity to get back in the NFC South race and simultaneously deal the division’s reigning champions a killing stroke, the Saints instead came up short in a showdown game against the Carolina Panthers despite the defense’s best effort all season. The Saints made a late roster moving, signing S Chris Banjo. But while numerous questions weren’t hard-hitting, getting to know just a bit more about the best and most influential athlete to ever play in the Carolinas is rarely a bad thing.