Saints make National Football League history with first extra-point return

On Sunday, the Panthers put up identical numbers, but the Saints put up a fight, going toe-to-toe with the NFL’s only unbeaten team before falling 41-38.

They do so as a more confident bunch, an undefeated 11-0 team looking to clinch its third straight NFC South championship with a win over the New Orleans Saints.

The New Orleans Saints offense didn’t score a touchdown in last week’s 24-6 loss to the Houston Texans and has produced only 20 points in the past two games, but still ranks in the top three in total offense in the league. “But that doesn’t mean that moving forward we can’t get back to where we need to be”. This was a wakeup call for us.

The Carolina Panthers regular-season win streak began nearly exactly one year ago; with a blowout victory over, naturally, the New Orleans Saints.

Newton, who was 28 of 41 for 331 yards, twice had to lead the Panthers back from fourth-quarter deficits. It’s different than maybe a dominant defensive lineman who is just pinning his ears back and it’s just a hit the quarterback or hit the running back type of thing. One of these teams will, obviously, make the postseason as division champs, but the other could have a chance to sneak in as a wild card if both teams finish strong (they don’t play each other again). Newton is the first QB to rush for over 3,000 yards in his first five seasons.

Saints linebacker Stephone Anthony picked up the loose ball and returned it all the way for two points to give the Saints a 16-13 lead.

“When I pulled up, I saw him at the last minute and I took a shot”, Newton said. “The referee did an unbelievable job with making sure I was all right”. That doesn’t happen. You can’t wake up and get out of bed and say, ‘I think we’re going to go 12-0’.

Drew Brees passed for 282 yards and three touchdowns.

Late in the second quarter Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano was attempting an extra point and the attempt was blocked by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Kevin Williams. But still, too numerous little things that inevitably will get you beat. Ginn did redeem himself somewhat by catching a 45-yard scoring pass that put Carolina up 34-31 early in the fourth quarter.

Unless you haven’t been following the NFL closely over the past few years, you know that when Panthers QB Cam Newton scores, he hands the football to a fan in the crowd. In the receiving end, Jerricho Cotchery had 73 yards in five catches while Greg Olsen added 70 yards in five receptions.

-WR Brandin Cooks, with WR Willie Snead injured, had one of his best games of the season, catching six passes for 104 yards (17.3 average) and a 54-yard TD.

Anthony was at the center of another unusual play in the first half that wasn’t a turnover but still resulted in a three-point swing.

The Saints’ third interception of the first half came when Brian Dixon forced a fumble that was recovered by Kenny Vaccaro.

The Jets (7-5) didn’t seal the win until Josh Brown missed a 48-yard field goal field goal with 6:33 left in the extra session, his first miss in 26 attempts this season.

“You just have to keep fighting and try to make plays”, said Saints running back Mark Ingram. “I didn’t hear a whistle, and I kind of waited, then I kept going”.

The Panthers managed to rally back in the second quarter behind a touchdown pass to Mike Tolbert and a touchdown run to Jonathan Stewart, but the Saints managed to block the ensuing kick and return the ball for a 2 point score following Stewart’s touchdown.