{"id":447805,"date":"2025-12-15T03:19:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T03:19:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/447805\/"},"modified":"2025-12-15T03:19:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T03:19:12","slug":"panthers-saints-takeaways-tyler-shough-leads-two-late-new-orleans-scoring-drives-in-upset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/447805\/","title":{"rendered":"Panthers-Saints takeaways: Tyler Shough leads two late New Orleans scoring drives in upset"},"content":{"rendered":"

Charlie Smyth hit a 47-yard field goal in the final seconds to give the New Orleans Saints a 20-17 upset victory against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Caesars Superdome.<\/p>\n

Smyth\u2019s field goal capped an eight-play, 62-yard drive led by rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who has helped the Saints (4-12) post consecutive wins for the first time this season.<\/p>\n

The game-winning series, which was extended by an unnecessary roughness penalty, came just a couple of minutes after Shough led the Saints on a game-tying seven-play, 78-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Chris Olave.<\/p>\n

New Orleans\u2019 victory dealt a major blow to the Panthers\u2019 playoff chances. Carolina (7-7) came into Sunday\u2019s matchup leading the NFC South and with a 47 percent chance of clinching a playoff berth according to The Athletic\u2019s playoff simulator<\/a>. With the loss to the Saints, the Panthers\u2019 playoff chances dropped to about 24 percent.<\/p>\n

Tough penalty for Panthers\u2019 rookie<\/p>\n

On the Saints\u2019 game-winning drive, Shough took advantage of the Panthers\u2019 prevent defense that featured no interior linemen. With the Saints at midfield but out of timeouts with 12 seconds left, Shough took off up the middle on a designed run that picked up 4 yards. Shough then was hit high by rookie safety Lathan Ransom for a personal foul that moved the Saints to the Panthers\u2019 29 and set up Smyth\u2019s 47-yard field goal with two seconds left. \u2014 Joseph Person, Panthers beat writer<\/p>\n

Olave comes to life<\/p>\n

It had been a quiet day for the Saints\u2019 leading receiver, who had one reception through the first three-and-a-half quarters. Yet, with the Panthers getting soft with their coverages while trying to protect a late touchdown lead, Olave went off with four catches on the Saints\u2019 game-tying, touchdown drive, including a 12-yard score on which he beat Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn on a slant route. Shough went to Olave with the game on the line, and Olave delivered. \u2014 Person<\/p>\n

\n

Shough to Olave! @Saints<\/a> tie it up late<\/p>\n

CARvsNO on FOX\/FOX Onehttps:\/\/t.co\/HkKw7uXVnt<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/kkzQ8FDNkP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Saints\u2019 running back room running on empty<\/p>\n

New Orleans already was hurting at the RB position, with Alvin Kamara missing his third straight game with a knee injury and Kendre Miller out for the season with a torn ACL. Things didn\u2019t get any better on Sunday. No. 3 back Devin Neal, who scored on a 4-yard run in the first half, was ruled out at the start of the second half with a hamstring injury. That forced Kellen Moore to go with fourth and fifth backs Audric Estime and Evan Hull. \u2014 Person<\/p>\n

Bryce Young fails to beat New Orleans\u2019 ghosts<\/p>\n

Young can\u2019t be a big fan of the Superdome at this point. Despite a strong game \u2014 especially with his legs \u2014 Young fell to 0-3 in New Orleans. Young didn\u2019t put up gaudy numbers Sunday, but he protected the ball and scrambled for several first downs, none bigger than his 11-yard run to convert a third-and-10 just before the two-minute warning. Young\u2019s 49 rushing yards were the second-highest total of his career, and he threw for a TD with a dime to Jalen Coker. Ultimately, though, he came up empty. Again. \u2014 Person<\/p>\n