The New Orleans Saints had another back and forth game with the Carolina Panthers (12-0) and it ended the same way, with the outcome of the game coming in the closing minutes to lose their fourth straight by the score of 41-38.
After both teams had a possession, the Saints got on the board first with Drew Brees connecting with Ben Watson from 14 yards out to go up 7-0 early.
The Saints kept the ball rolling with Stephone Anthony recovering a fumble and taking it to the house to go up 14-0 late in the first quarter.
But the Panthers crawled back in the second quarter with a methodical drive down the field that led to Cam Newton connecting with Mike Tolbert from 12 yards.
The Panthers were able to score again late in the second quarter with another lengthy drive that was capped off with Jonathan Stewart running it in from five yards out. But the extra point was blocked and Stephone Anthony recovered it and took it all the way back for two points to take a 16-13 heading into the locker room.
Newton and the Panthers opened up the second half with a march down the field that ended with Ted Ginn Jr. getting in the endzone to give the Panthers the lead.
After the Panthers forced a three and out, they took advantage of the short field and Newton found rookie wideout Devin Funchess to increase their lead to 27-16.
But the Saints weren’t about to go away quietly with Drew Brees connecting with Brandin Cooks on a 54-yard pass for the score. Mark Ingram took it into the endzone for two points to cut the Panthers lead to three points. The Saints took the lead on their next possession with a 24-yard pass to Brandon Coleman.
But the lead did not last for long with Ginn Jr. and Newton connecting again on a 45-yard pass.
The Saints began to exchange haymakers with a 9-yard run by Ingram to take the lead back.
But the Panthers got the knockout blow with a pass to Jerricho Cotchery with 1:05 remaining.
The Saints (4-8) will hit the road next week to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6) with kickoff set for 12 pm.
-Clint Domingue