The Panthers still took a 17-10 lead into the fourth quarter and had chances to extend it, but were unable to capitalize, while New Orleans added a touchdown. Then, on the Saints’ final drive, taking over with 0:57 seconds left from their own 8-yard line, Shough and crew moved quickly downfield.
With 12 seconds left, the Saints were facing a second-and-10 from the Panthers’ 48-yard line and had no timeouts. Carolina put no interior linemen on the field and sent three safeties out, understandably assuming the Saints would throw.
New Orleans took advantage, sending Shough straight up the middle on a designed keeper. He picked up 4 yards before sliding. Ransom, knowing every yard matters when trying to get in field-goal range, flew in to make a stop. His slide aligned with Shough’s to the Panthers’ detriment.
“Every yard matters in that situation, so he’s running the ball, I’m just thinking stop him as fast as I can,” explained Ransom.
“It’s difficult. We’re trying to get every yard we could to stop them, so when he’s running, I’m just thinking stop him as fast as I can, but he’s a quarterback, so I’ve got to be more aware of the situation and just, I guess let him run by or let him, not run by but let him slide.”