By BtBoylan | SI
The New Orleans Saints (4-2) defeated the Carolina Panthers (3-4) by the score of 27-24 in front of 3,000 fans inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday. The victory is New Orleans' third consecutive win and their second over an NFC SOUTH opponent this season. The Saints now sit a half-game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who defeated the Raiders Sunday afternoon, for first place in the NFC SOUTH.
Below are three takeaways from the Saints Week 7 victory over the Panthers...
NO THOMAS? NO SANDERS? NO PROBLEM!
The New Orleans Saints entered Sunday's action without their two top wide receivers, Michael Thomas (hamstring) and Emmanuel Sanders (reserve/COVID-19). With questions on who would catch passes from Brees, WR Marquez Callaway, RB Alvin Kamara, and WR Tre'quan Smith provided the “next man up mentality,” eclipsing nearly 200 yards receiving against the Panthers.
Brees threw for 287 yards and 2 TDs en route to become the first player in NFL history to complete 7,000 passes. The Saints' offense has begun humming again after a slow start to the season. New Orleans entered the week averaging over 30 points per game and were right on average scoring 27 on Sunday.
Full Story - SI