CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ The Saints came to Bank of America Stadium on Sunday and routed the Panthers, 34-13.
Carolina's 2-0 start against the 49ers and Bills was built on what defensive end Julius Peppers called the best unit he's been a part of in his 16-year career. But that was before that defense faced Brees, who is in his 17th season.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees finished 22 of 29 for 220 yards and three touchdowns. He didn't throw an interception.
When he found Pierre Thomas for a 5-yard touchdown with 22 seconds to play in the first quarter it gave the Saints a 7-3 lead. Thomas had five catches for 50 yards on the drive, the first to produce a touchdown against the Panthers (2-1) in 2017.
That was only the beginning.
Two series later, Newton was intercepted on a pass intended for Devin Funchess. Four plays after that, Brees found Brandon Coleman for an 11-yard touchdown with 5:42 to play in the first half.
And in the third quarter, two-time former Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from Brees, making it 24-6.
Cam Newton's 3-yard touchdown run cut the New Orleans lead to 24-13. It was Carolina's first touchdown in more than 130 minutes of game play.
A Wil Lutz field goal and 25-yard touchdown run by Alvin Kamara made that academic, increasing the lead to 34-13 for the Saints (1-2) with 3:42 to play.
