The New Orleans Saints started the 2024 season inside the newly renovated Caesars Superdome as they welcomed their NFC South foe, the Carolina Panthers.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The New Orleans Saints started with the football and wasted no fire firing up the Caesars Superdome as Derek Carr launched his first touchdown of the season to Rashid Shaheed for a 59-yard score.
On Carolina’s first play from scrimmage, Will Harris picked off Bryce Young to give the ball right back to the Saints. That drive ended with a career-long 57-yard field goal from Blake Grupe to extend the lead to 10-0.
After another defensive stand, New Orleans’ offense was back out again as Carr found Foster Moreau alone in the endzone for a score, extending the lead to 17-0 after the first quarter.
Over the next two possessions, Blake Grupe added more field goals from 44 and 52 yards respectively. Alontae Taylor had two sacks of Young in the first half, giving the Saints the ball back inside of two minutes when Carr found Juwan Johnson for a 16-yard touchdown, giving the Black and Gold a 30-0 lead late in the first half. Carolina got on the scoreboard to end the first half with a 43-yard field goal from Eddy Pinerio as time expired to make it a 30-3 game.
The Saints got their third turnover of the game when Bryce Young was picked off by Jordan Howden. New Orleans’ offense proceeded to go 57 yards on nine plays, capped by Alvin Kamara’s one-yard touchdown run to make it 37-3 with 8:27 left in the third quarter.
On a 4th and goal, Young scrambled into the endzone but fumbled. However, the play was reviewed and it was determined that Young broke the plane with possession for the touchdown to make it 37-10 with 4:55 left in the third quarter.
Grupe added his fourth field goal of the day early in the fourth quarter as the Saints once again increased their lead to 40-10. Alontae Taylor sacked Bryce Young on the next drive for his third of the game, the first time in franchise history a defensive back recorded three sacks in a game.
Jamaal Williams answered after a blocked punt from Johnson with a 14-yard touchdown run to make it 47-10 with 10:38 remaining.
The Saints put the backups in for the final six minutes of action as they sealed a 47-10 win in the season opener.
BIG NUMBER: 47
The 47 points scored by the Saints was the most in a season opener in franchise history on Sunday as the Saints started 2024 with a statement victory.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Derek Carr
Carr was excellent in the season opener, completing 19-23 for 200 yards and three touchdowns. His QBR sat at 142.5.
PLAYER OF THE GAME II: Alontae Taylor
Taylor was a total disruptor with three sacks on the day, the first time in franchise history a defensive back recorded three sacks in a single game.
UP NEXT: New Orleans will head on the road to take on Dallas next Sunday. Kickoff from AT&T Stadium is set for Noon.