Chris Olave made a stunning one-handed catch to help the Saints beat the Panthers and secure their best start to an NFL season in a decade.
Tony Jones Jr. ran for two touchdowns and rookie Blake Grupe made two field goals as the New Orleans Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers 20-17 on Monday night to improve to 2-0 for the first time since 2013.
But perhaps the highlight of the night was Olave’s incredible catch, which sparked a stuttering offense and led to Jones Jr.’s first touchdown.
With just under seven and a half minutes left in the third quarter and the teams tied at 6-6, quarterback Derek Carr sent a long pass down the left sideline.
Both Olave and coverage defender CJ Henderson watched as it floated over their shoulders.
Chris Olave made a stunning one-handed catch to help the Saints beat the Panthers
Olave extended his left arm as Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson piled on the pressure
Despite running at full speed, he juggled the ball before catching the ball and tumbling into the turf
Olave extended his left hand as the Panthers cornerback increased the pressure and even blocked the receiver’s right arm.
Somehow, despite running at full speed, the 23-year-old juggled the ball in his left hand before catching the ball as it tumbled into the turf.
“That’s the kind of play that can light them up,” the ESPN announcer said. And that soon became apparent when Jones Jr. scored the first touchdownf his career before adding another with just a few minutes left to play.
Olave finished with six catches for 86 yards, while Jthose replaced the injured Jamaal Williams late in the first half and ran for 34 yards on 12 carries.
Olave finished with six catches for 86 yards as New Orleans Saints defeated Panthers 20-17
The Saints defense did the rest, holding Panthers rookie Bryce Young to 153 receiving yards in his home debut.
New Orleans limited Carolina (0-2) to 239 yards and sacked Young, the top overall pick in the draft, four times.
The Saints nearly made it two full games without allowing a touchdown before giving up a 3-yard scoring throw from Young to Adam Thielen with 1:16 remaining.
Young’s two-point conversion pass to Thielen brought the Panthers within three, but the Saints recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.