Charlie Smyth hit a 47-yard field goal in the final seconds to give the New Orleans Saints a 20-17 upset victory against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.

Smyth’s field goal capped an eight-play, 62-yard drive led by Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who has helped the Saints (4-12) post back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

The game-winning series, which was extended by an unnecessary roughness penalty, came just a couple of minutes after Shough led the Saints on a game-tying seven-play, 78-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Chris Olave.

New Orleans’ victory dealt a major blow to the Panthers’ playoff chances. Carolina (7-7) came into Sunday’s matchup leading the NFC South and with a 47 percent chance to make the playoffs according to The Athletic’s playoff simulator. With the loss to the Saints, the Panthers’ playoff chances dropped to about 24 percent.

Tough penalty for Panthers’ rookie

On the Saints’ game-winning drive, Shough took advantage of the Panthers’ prevent defense that featured no interior linemen. With the Saints at midfield but out of timeouts with 12 seconds left, Shough took off up the middle on a designed run that picked up 4 yards. Shough then was hit high by rookie safety Lathan Ransom for a personal foul that moved the Saints to the Panthers’ 29 and set up Smyth’s 47-yard field goal with two seconds left. — Joseph Person, Panthers beat writer

Olave comes to life

It had been a quiet day for the Saints’ leading receiver, who had one reception through the first three-and-a-half quarters. But with the Panthers getting soft with their coverages while trying to protect a late touchdown lead, Olave went off with four catches on the Saints’ game-tying, touchdown drive, including a 12-yard score on which he beat Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn on a slant route. Shough went to Olave with the game on the line, and Olave delivered. — Person

Shough to Olave! @Saints tie it up late

CARvsNO on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/kkzQ8FDNkP

— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2025

Saints’ running back room running on empty

New Orleans already was hurting at the RB position, with Alvin Kamara missing his third game in a row with a knee injury and Kendre Miller out for the season with a torn ACL. Things didn’t get any better on Sunday. No. 3 back Devin Neal, who scored on a 4-yard run in the first half, was ruled out at the start of the second half against the Panthers with a hamstring injury. That forced Kellen Moore to go with fourth and fifth backs Audric Estime and Evan Hull. — Person

Bryce Young fail to beat New Orleans’ ghosts

Young can’t be a big fan of the Superdome at this point. Despite a strong game — especially with his legs — Young fell to 0-3 in New Orleans. Young didn’t put up gaudy numbers Sunday, but he protected the ball and scrambled for several first downs, none bigger than his 11-yard run to convert a third-and-10 just before the two-minute warning. Young’s 49 rushing yards were the second-highest total of his career and he threw for a TD with a dime to Jalen Coker. But ultimately, he came up empty. Again. — Person