The New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers have a storied rivalry in the NFC South, with their matchups often delivering thrilling performances and standout player stats. In 2024, their two encounters—in Week 1 and Week 9—offered fans a mix of dominant displays and nail-biting finishes. This article explores the player statistics from these games, providing data-driven insights, key moments, and practical tips for fans and fantasy football enthusiasts. Whether you’re a die-hard Saints or Panthers supporter or simply love NFL stats, this analysis has you covered.
Why the Saints vs. Panthers Rivalry Matters
The Saints and Panthers have faced off 60 times since 1995, with New Orleans holding a slight edge at 32-28. Their games are often close, fueled by divisional stakes and passionate fan bases. In 2024, the teams split their series, with the Saints dominating Week 1 (47-10) and the Panthers edging out a 23-22 victory in Week 9. These games showcased contrasting styles: New Orleans leaned on offensive firepower, while Carolina relied on resilience and late-game heroics.
Key Questions Fans Are Asking
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Who were the standout players in the Saints vs. Panthers 2024 matchups?
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How did quarterback performances impact the outcomes?
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Which stats should fantasy football players focus on for future games?
Let’s break down the player stats and highlights from both games to answer these questions and more.
Week 1: Saints Dominate with a 47-10 Rout
On September 8, 2024, at the Caesars Superdome, the Saints overwhelmed the Panthers in a one-sided affair. New Orleans racked up 379 total yards (199 passing, 180 rushing) while holding Carolina to just 193 yards. The Saints’ efficiency was evident, converting 53.8% of third downs and scoring on their first nine possessions.
Standout Saints Performers
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Derek Carr (QB): Completed 19 of 23 passes (82.6%) for 200 yards, 3 TDs, and a 142.5 passer rating. His 59-yard TD pass to Rashid Shaheed on the opening drive set the tone.
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Alvin Kamara (RB): Rushed for 83 yards on 15 carries (1 TD) and added 27 receiving yards, totaling 110 yards from scrimmage.
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Rashid Shaheed (WR): Caught 5 passes for 73 yards, including the 59-yard TD.
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Alontae Taylor (CB): Led with 6 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 pass deflection, marking a historic performance for a Saints defensive back.
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Blake Grupe (K): Perfect on 4 field goals (57, 44, 52, 39 yards) and 5 extra points.
Panthers’ Struggles
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Bryce Young (QB): Completed 13 of 30 passes for 161 yards, threw 2 INTs, and scored a 3-yard rushing TD. He was sacked 4 times, highlighting offensive line issues.
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Chuba Hubbard (RB): Managed 40 yards on 12 carries, averaging a modest 3.3 yards per rush.
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Raheem Blackshear (KR): Averaged 25.2 yards on kick returns, leading the NFL at the time.
Week 1 Stats Table
|
Player |
Team |
Position |
Passing (Comp/Att, Yds, TD, INT) |
Rushing (Car, Yds, TD) |
Receiving (Rec, Yds, TD) |
Defense (Tkl, Sck, INT, PD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Derek Carr |
Saints |
QB |
19/23, 200, 3, 0 | 3, 13, 0 | – | – |
|
Alvin Kamara |
Saints |
RB |
– | 15, 83, 1 | 5, 27, 0 | – |
|
Rashid Shaheed |
Saints |
WR |
– | – | 5, 73, 1 | – |
|
Alontae Taylor |
Saints |
CB |
– | – | – | 6, 3, 0, 1 |
|
Blake Grupe |
Saints |
K |
– | – | – |
– (4/4 FG, 5/5 XP) |
|
Bryce Young |
Panthers |
QB |
13/30, 161, 0, 2 | 4, 12, 1 | – | – |
|
Chuba Hubbard |
Panthers |
RB |
– | 12, 40, 0 | 2, 8, 0 | – |
|
Raheem Blackshear |
Panthers |
KR/RB |
– | – | – |
– (151 KR yds) |
Week 9: Panthers Rally for a 23-22 Upset
On November 3, 2024, at Bank of America Stadium, the Panthers flipped the script, edging out the Saints in a thrilling 23-22 contest. Carolina’s defense stiffened late, and Bryce Young orchestrated a game-winning drive, marking his first career victory formation snap.
Standout Panthers Performers
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Bryce Young (QB): Completed 16 of 26 passes for 171 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT (stripped from the receiver). His 88.5 PFF passing grade was a career high.
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Chuba Hubbard (RB): Rushed for 72 yards on 15 carries with 2 TDs, including the game-winning 16-yard score.
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Ja’Tavion Sanders (TE): Caught 4 passes for 87 yards, including a 46-yard catch that set up a TD. He led all rookie TEs in yards over expected (+50).
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Xavier Legette (WR): Had 4 catches for 33 yards and a 3-yard TD, plus a crucial 26-yard reception on the winning drive.
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Demani Richardson (S): Led with 12 tackles (8 solo) and 1 pass defended in his second career start.
Saints’ Key Contributors
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Alvin Kamara (RB): Shined with 155 rushing yards on 29 carries and 60 receiving yards on 6 catches, totaling 215 yards from scrimmage.
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Derek Carr (QB): Went 20 of 36 for 245 yards, 1 TD, and no INTs but struggled on third downs (33% conversion).
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Taysom Hill (TE/QB): Scored a 7-yard rushing TD and caught a 17-yard TD pass, finishing with 30 rushing yards.
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Blake Grupe (K): Made 2 field goals (29, 33 yards) and 2 extra points.
Week 9 Stats Table
|
Player |
Team |
Position |
Passing (Comp/Att, Yds, TD, INT) |
Rushing (Car, Yds, TD) |
Receiving (Rec, Yds, TD) |
Defense (Tkl, Sck, INT, PD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bryce Young |
Panthers |
QB |
16/26, 171, 1, 1 | 3, 8, 0 | – | – |
|
Chuba Hubbard |
Panthers |
RB |
– | 15, 72, 2 | 2, 10, 0 | – |
|
Ja’Tavion Sanders |
Panthers |
TE |
– | – | 4, 87, 0 | – |
|
Xavier Legette |
Panthers |
WR |
– | – | 4, 33, 1 | – |
|
Demani Richardson |
Panthers |
S |
– | – | – | 12, 0, 0, 1 |
|
Alvin Kamara |
Saints |
RB |
– | 29, 155, 0 | 6, 60, 0 | – |
|
Derek Carr |
Saints |
QB |
20/36, 245, 1, 0 | 2, 5, 0 | – | – |
|
Taysom Hill |
Saints |
TE/QB |
– | 5, 30, 1 | 3, 24, 1 | – |
|
Blake Grupe |
Saints |
K |
– | – | – |
– (2/2 FG, 2/2 XP) |
Data-Driven Insights for Fans and Fantasy Players
Saints’ Offensive Strengths
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Derek Carr’s Efficiency: Carr’s 70.3% completion rate and 8 TDs in 5 games make him a reliable QB2 in fantasy. His chemistry with Shaheed and Kamara is a key asset.
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Alvin Kamara’s Versatility: Kamara’s 505 rushing yards, 307 receiving yards, and 7 total TDs through Week 9 make him a top-10 RB.
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Third-Down Dominance: The Saints converted 57.1% of third downs in Week 1, showcasing their ability to sustain drives.
Panthers’ Resilience
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Bryce Young’s Growth: Young’s Week 9 performance (88.5 PFF grade) signals improvement, making him a potential streaming QB in deeper leagues.
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Chuba Hubbard’s Consistency: Hubbard’s 72 yards and 2 TDs in Week 9 highlight his RB2 value, especially in PPR leagues.
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Rookie Contributions: Sanders and Legette are emerging as flex options, with Sanders leading rookie TEs in yards per reception (10.2).
Practical Tips for Fantasy Football
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Start Kamara with Confidence: His dual-threat ability ensures a high floor, even against tough defenses.
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Monitor Young’s Progress: If he maintains his Week 9 form, he could be a waiver wire pickup for QB-needy teams.
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Target Sanders in Dynasty Leagues: His yards-after-catch ability makes him a long-term TE asset.
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Avoid Saints’ WRs Without Olave: Chris Olave’s concussion in Week 9 limited New Orleans’ passing game, making Shaheed a risky play.
What to Expect in Future Saints vs. Panthers Matchups
The 2024 games highlighted both teams’ strengths and weaknesses. The Saints’ offense, led by Carr and Kamara, thrives when the offensive line protects and opens running lanes. However, their defense struggled in Week 9, allowing 23 points to a Panthers team ranked 29th in total offense.
Carolina, meanwhile, showed grit despite a 2-7 record. Young’s development and Hubbard’s reliability could make them more competitive in 2025. The Panthers’ defense, bolstered by players like Demani Richardson, must improve against the pass to challenge New Orleans consistently.
How Can Fans Stay Updated on Player Stats?
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Follow official NFL apps or websites like ESPN and NFL.com for real-time stats.
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Use fantasy platforms like Yahoo Sports for detailed player breakdowns.
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Check PFF for advanced metrics like passing grades and yards over expected.
See Also: fballquery.com
Conclusion
The 2024 Saints vs. Panthers matchups were a tale of two games: a Saints blowout in Week 1 and a Panthers comeback in Week 9. Standout performances from Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara, Bryce Young, and Chuba Hubbard defined the series, offering fans and fantasy players plenty to analyze. By diving into these stats, you can better appreciate the nuances of this NFC South rivalry and make informed decisions for fantasy rosters or game-day predictions.
