Saints Rally Late Again, Edge Panthers on Charlie Smyth’s Walk-Off Field Goal
For the second straight week, the New Orleans Saints played the role of spoiler-and they’re starting to look pretty comfortable in it. On Sunday at the Superdome, they pulled off another late-game heist, this time taking down the Carolina Panthers 20-17 on a 47-yard field goal from rookie kicker Charlie Smyth with just two seconds left on the clock.
This one had all the makings of a game the Saints could’ve let slip. Carolina came out with more urgency, more rhythm, and more bite.
The Panthers struck first with a 4-yard touchdown run from Rico Dowdle and followed it up with a field goal, building a 10-0 lead that felt larger than it was. The Saints were moving the ball in spurts, but their drives kept stalling out before they could do real damage.
Still, New Orleans hung around. They answered with a touchdown to stay in it, and despite being down 10-7 at halftime, the feeling was clear: the Saints weren’t out of it, but they were going to need someone-anyone-to step up with Alvin Kamara sidelined.
Then came the moment that looked like it might bury them. Early in the third quarter, Bryce Young dropped a dime to Jalen Coker for a 32-yard touchdown strike, and just like that, the Panthers were up 17-7.
It was the kind of throw that turns momentum into a runaway train. Down double digits in the second half, with your best offensive weapon unavailable, the margin for error becomes razor thin.
But New Orleans didn’t blink.
Charlie Smyth kicked off the comeback with a 42-yard field goal late in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 17-10. And then came the turning point-the kind of moment that defines games and seasons.
With just over seven minutes left, Smyth lined up for a 46-yard attempt. He nailed it, but it didn’t count.
Carolina jumped offsides, gifting the Saints a first down. That mistake cracked the door open, and the Saints kicked it down.
Tyler Shough took full advantage, leading a composed drive that ended with a 12-yard strike to Chris Olave with 2:29 left to tie the game at 17-17. Olave was once again the go-to guy, showing why he’s become the heartbeat of this Saints passing attack. Shough, stepping in with confidence, delivered a clean 24-of-32 performance for 272 yards and the touchdown.
From there, the Saints defense went to work. Chase Young and the front four turned up the heat, making life miserable for Bryce Young and forcing a quick three-and-out. The Saints got the ball back with time to operate-and they didn’t waste it.
A steady drive moved the ball into field goal range, and a costly unnecessary roughness penalty on Carolina tacked on even more yardage, turning a pressure-packed long attempt into a very makeable kick.
Smyth stepped up and drilled it from 47 yards out. Ballgame.
That’s back-to-back walk-off wins for a Saints team that’s suddenly found a little late-season juice. With the New York Jets coming to town next, New Orleans has a shot to keep this streak alive and carry some real momentum into the offseason.
They might not be playing for playoff seeding anymore, but don’t tell that to this group. They’re playing like a team that still has something to prove-and right now, they’re proving it.