New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers

Sunday, October 19, 2008

*Defense leads Panthers over rival Saints*

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The Carolina Panthers' defense proved to be better than the New Orleans Saints' offense.

Julius Peppers and the rest of the third-ranked defense held New Orleans' high-powered offense to its fewest points of the season, while Jake Delhomme tossed two touchdown passes to lead the Panthers to a 30-7 win Sunday.

With the Saints leading, 7-3, and driving early in the second quarter, Peppers came up with a key strip of tight end Jeremy Shockey. Four plays later, Jonathan Stewart scored on an 18-yard run to put the Panthers up for good.

Delhomme tossed two third-quarter touchdown passes to break open a tight game. He hit Steve Smith on a play-action pass on which Smith made a tumbling catch in the end zone.

After an interception and 31-yard return by cornerback Ken Lucas, Delhomme threw a swing pass to DeAngelo Williams for a 4-yard score to give Carolina a commanding 27-7 bulge.

The Saints (3-4) were handicapped in the second half by the loss of Reggie Bush, who injured his left knee on a punt return at the end of the second quarter. Bush, who gained 55 yards rushing in the opening 30 minutes, did not play at all after intermission.

With New Orleans behind and with its top rushing threat on the sidelines, Carolina (5-2) was able to contain the normally potent Saints passing attack.

The Panthers made a pair of critical stops on fourth-down rushing attempts. Peppers tackled Aaron Stecker on a 4th-and-short at the two-yard line to end the last threat by the Saints.

Carolina then embarked on a 16-play, 88-yard drive that took 9:29 off the clock and ended in the third field goal of the game by John Kasay.

The Panthers improved to 4-0 at home this season.