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Saints vs Panthers Game Recap - NFL Week 1 - Sept. 8, 2024

Saints vs Panthers Game Recap - NFL Week 1 - Sept. 8, 2024

WEEK 1 • SUN 09/08 • FINAL
10
47

Carolina Panthers 0-1

New Orleans Saints 1-0

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Game recap: New Orleans Saints 47, Carolina Panthers 10 | 2024 NFL Week 1

The New Orleans Saints rolled to a rollicking 47-10 season-opening victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome, the team's sixth consecutive opening victory, the best active streak in the NFL.

But this win also marked the coming-out party for the new Saints offense under first-year coordinator Klint Kubiak. The Saints scored on their first nine possessions - five touchdowns and four field goals - while displaying excellent balance and a much-improved rushing attack. The 47 points is the most the Saints have ever scored in a season-opener. The consecutive drives with a score streak appears to be the longest since 2000.

Star running back Alvin Kamara carried 15 times for 83 yards with one touchdown while Taysom Hill added 35 yards rushing. Quarterback Derek Carr was sharp, going 19 of 23 for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Jamaal Williams had the second rushing touchdown of his Saints career, a 14-yard scamper in the fourth quarter. The big play was there with a 59-yard touchdown pass to Rashid Shaheed as was the power rushing attack (180 yards rushing). Second-year quarterback Jake Haener entered and played the final 6:51.

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It was Kamara's 50th game with at least 100 yards from scrimmage.

The defense was just as impressive, forcing three turnovers, sacking Carolina quarterback Bryce Young four times and in general making his life miserable. Defensive back Alontae Taylor had three sacks (all on blitzes; he is the first Saints defensive back to ever have three sacks in a game) while linebacker Demario Davis had the other. Safeties Will Harris and Jordan Howden had interceptions while safety Tyrann Mathieu forced and recovered a fumble.

The special teams units looked sharp too, as kicker Blake Grupe made four field goals, including a career-best 57-yarder, Shaheed had a 47-yard punt return and the Saints partially blocked one of Johnny Hekker's punts (tight end Juwan Johnson had the block). Punter Matthew Hayball didn't have his first punt until 4:40 was left.

Starting cornerback Marshon Lattimore left with a hamstring injury and starting left guard Lucas Patrick left with a toe injury, Tight end Foster Moreau left to be evaluated for a concussion.

The Saints will look to improve to 2-0 next Sunday with a noon kickoff in Dallas against the Cowboys.

Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 8, 2024 in the Caesars Superdome.