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Halftime Update

Halftime update: New Orleans Saints 30, Carolina Panthers 3 | 2024 NFL Week 1

Offense, defense, special teams clicking as Saints roll to big lead in opener

The first half of the first game of the 2024 season could not have gone better for the New Orleans Saints as they raced to a 30-3 lead over the Carolina Panthers at the Caesars Superdome.

The scoring started on the first possession with a 59-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Derek Carr to Rashid Shaheed. Safety Will Harris, in his first game with the Saints, intercepted Carolina quarterback Bryce Young on Young's first passing attempt. The Saints turned that into a 57-yard field goal by Blake Grupe, his career long.

On the next possession, the Saints running game got going as Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill powered a 79-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Carr to tight end Foster Moreau. Grupe then added 44- and 52-yard field goals before Carr hit tight end Juwan Johnson with a 16-yard touchdown pass, a play that was set up by Shaheed's 47-yard punt return. The Saints scored on all six of their possessions.

Kamara ended the half with 70 yards on 10 carries while Hill added 28 yards on four carries as the Saints had more than 100 yards rushing, an emphasis of new coordinator Klint Kubiak. Carr was 12 of 16 for 121 yards and three touchdowns.

Rookie receiver Mason Tipton made his first NFL reception in the second quarter. Moreau had three catches for 21 while Shaheed had two for 60 yards.

The defense was equally as impressive as the new-look offense. In addition to Harris' interception, safety Tyrann Mathieu forced and recovered a fumble in the second quarter, defensive back Alontae Taylor had two sacks and new defensive end Chase Young and the defensive line provided consistent pressure on Bryce Young.

Carolina, which scored on a 43-yard field goal on the final play of the half, will get the ball to start the second half.

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.