Even with the win, there were nervous moments, particularly a fourth-quarter interception of Bryce Young, which seemed to turn the momentum on a day when many things went better for the Panthers.
Saints cornerback Shemar-Jean Charles, called up from the practice squad to cover for the ridiculous spate of injuries the Saints are enduring, ripped the ball away from Panthers wideout Xavier Legette in the fourth quarter.
But the Panthers were the ones kneeling out the game to celebrate a home win on a day when Legette scored his fourth touchdown of the year, and they got significant contributions from rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders and wide receiver Jalen Coker.
Sanders had four catches for 87 yards, including a remarkable hurdle-and-run gain of 46 yards in the third quarter, setting up a Hubbard touchdown run, which gave the Panthers a 17-13 lead to start the second half.
Young hit a couple of shots, and was timely when it mattered.
He finished the game 16-of-26 for 171 yards, with a touchdown and the interception.
They also played complementary football of a sort, holding the Saints to 22 — tying the season-low for points allowed in a game, matching the Raiders’ losing total in Week 3.