The New Orleans Saints outgained the Carolina Panthers in total yards, first downs, third down conversions, passing yards and time of possession on Sunday, but one thing they didn't have in the game was Cam Newton.
Yes, the Saints were very happy with the play of quarterback Drew Brees, who had 325 yards passing, but Newton took over the game, leading his team to a 35-27 win on the road.
The loss dropped the Saints to 0-2 for the first time since 2007 and improved the Panthers to 6-1 when Newton has zero interceptions.
"Times change," wide receiver Steve Smith told the Associated Press of Carolina's first win over New Orleans since 2009.
The Panthers had great success rushing the ball, outgaining the Saints 219 to 163 only a week after Carolina totaled 10 yards against Tampa Bay in their opening loss.
"The way we responded as a team this week was outstanding," Coach Ron Rivera said. "I think the attitude, the effort was great."
Newton added a career-high 71 yards rushing to go along with 253 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Panther receiver's did an excellent job at finding space on the field, with Steve Smith grabbing three balls for 104 yards and second-year receiver Brandon LaFell catching six for 90 yards.
Carolina had a few big plays during the game, including a long 66-yard gain for Smith, who caught a pass from Newton without a defender in sight.
"I was shocked just as much as anybody," Newton said. "Of all of the people on this field to be wide open, you would think Smitty would be the last person. But that is what type of pressure the zone read gives us."
While the Saints didn't make excuses, the offseason bounty scandal and the resulting suspensions seem to have affected the play of the defense.
"If you look at our defense, and you look at the two offenses we've played, we've played the most unconventional offenses in the National Football League," said interim coach Aaron Kromer, who is running the team because coach Sean Payton and assistant head coach Joe Vitt are serving suspensions for their roles in the Saints bounty scandal. "So do we have to do better against those styles of offenses? Yeah, we do."
Brees had won five straight starts against Carolina and threw for over 300 yards in his ninth straight game, and NFL record. He also threw a touchdown pass for the 45th straight game, which is only second all-time behind Baltimore Colt's great Johnny Unitas, who has 47.
Running back Darren Sproles had a standout game for the Saints, catching 13 balls for 128 yards, but was shut out of the end zone and had no rushing attempts. Tight end Jimmy Graham was second behind Sproles with seven catches for 71 yards and touchdown.
After starting 0-2 in 2007, the Saints missed the playoffs after finishing 7-9.
"The challenge now is keeping from that mentality of why it's happening, or pointing fingers and saying 'this guy isn't doing what he's supposed to," said Saints tackle Zach Strief. "That's dangerous. That's poisonous to a locker room."
Carolina will have to keep the celebrations short, since they play the Super Bowl champion New York Giants at home on Thursday night.
The Saints will look to right the ship as they host Kansas City on Sept. 23 at the Superdome.
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