For the second time this season, the New Orleans Saints have played spoiler to the Carolina Panthers.
Here’s everything we know from Sunday’s painful loss here in Week 15 . . .
Final score
Saints 20, Panthers 17
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Keys to the game
The Panthers were done in by their sloppy play, as they were called for 11 penalties. Those flags gifted the Saints 103 yards on the afternoon.
New Orleans contained Carolina’s rushing attack, limiting their opposition to 127 yards on 31 carries (4.1 yards per attempt). Running backs Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard combined for just 78 yards and one score on 24 totes.
Saints wide receiver Chris Olave woke up just in time, reeling in four of his six catches and tallying 78 of his 85 receiving yards in the fourth quarter. One of those receptions, a 12-yarder, tied the game up at 17 apiece with 2:29 left.
It was over when . . .
After Olave knotted the game up, the Panthers and quarterback Bryce Young failed to piece together another one of their game-winning drives. They’d punt the late-fourth quarter possession away, giving the Saints the rock at their own 9-yard line.
New Orleans, helped by an unnecessary roughness penalty from Panthers safety Lathan Ransom on quarterback Tyler Shough, was able to set up for a go-ahead 47-yard field goal from kicker Charlie Smyth. Smyth nailed it with two seconds remaining.
Players of the game
CB Mike Jackson: six tackles (one for a loss), pass defensed, forced fumble
OLB D.J. Wonnum: four tackles, 2.0 sacks
WR Jalen Coker: four receptions, 60 yards, touchdown
What’s next?
The Panthers (7-7) will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) in Week 16, with sole possession of the NFC South on the line.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers vs. Saints game recap: Everything we know from Week 15