The Carolina Panthers have ended a six-match losing streak with a convincing 41-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome this evening.
The visitors made a quick start to the match and were ahead after their opening possession when Cam Newton fired a nine-yard pass to Kelvin Benjamin on the left side of the endzone.
Graham Gano then made a 37-yard field goal before Newton got his own name on the scoreboard, leaping over the defence and just about reaching into the endzone before fumbling the ball for a two-yard score.
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The Saints attempted to go about reducing the 17-point deficit in the third quarter, but they could only come away with a field goal as Shayne Graham's effort went over from 37 yards.
Carolina took complete control of proceedings towards the end of the half with their third touchdown of the night, Newton this time finding a wide-open Greg Olsen in the endzone.
The home fans were beginning to become frustrated, and their mood was not improved when some poor run defence allowed Jonathan Stewart to break through and complete a 69-yard score.
The Panthers opened up a commanding 35-point lead with another score in the third quarter, this time Fozzy Whittaker collecting a short pass before diving into the corner of the endzone.
Gano increased the advantage further still with a 41-yard field goal at the start of the fourth quarter, before the Saints finally got a touchdown through Benjamin Watson.
It was merely a consolation score, however, as the Panthers saw out a comfortable victory to end a six-match losing streak.
Barney Corkhill
