Final2023 Week 2

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

New Orleans Saints vs Carolina Panthers, Week 2 2023

New Orleans Saints

AwayWon

20

Carolina Panthers

Home

17

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Saints337720
Panthers3031117

NO 20CAR 17 Final

  • Passing leader

    Derek Carr

    NO · QB

    7.7PPR pts

    21/36, 228 YDS, 1 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Adam Thielen

    CAR · WR

    20.4PPR pts

    7 REC, 54 YDS, 1 TD

  • Panthers leader

    Bryce Young

    CAR · QB

    13.5PPR pts

    22/33, 153 YDS, 1 TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Vonn Bell

    CAR

    1 INT, 6 TKL

Saints 20, Panthers 17: New Orleans holds off Carolina

New Orleans led 6–3 at halftime to win 20–17. The Saints finished with a 341–239 edge in total offense and averaged 4.6 yards per play.

The Panthers went 4-for-14 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Saints kept the ball for 32:49.

The two teams meet again in Week 10 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +0.3 yards/play NO 4.6 · CAR 4.3
  • +102 total yards NO 341 · CAR 239
  • +15% third-down rate NO 44% · CAR 29%

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Saints Won

New Orleans won the efficiency, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Saints vs Panthers
SaintsStatPanthers
4.6Yards per play4.3
341Total yards239
44%Third-down conversion29%
Other team stats
74Plays56
1Turnovers1
32:49Time of possession27:11

Scoring Summary

The Saints scored two touchdowns and two field goals; the Panthers scored one touchdown and three field goals.

Scoring plays, Saints vs Panthers
TimeTeamPlayNOCAR
1st quarter
7:04CAREddy Pineiro 52-yard FG Takes lead03
0:36NOBlake Grupe 28-yard FG Ties game33
2nd quarter
9:52NOBlake Grupe 23-yard FG Takes lead63
3rd quarter
9:10CAREddy Pineiro 54-yard FG Ties game66
2:56NOTony Jones Jr. 2-yard TD run Takes leadBlake Grupe XP136
4th quarter
5:30CAREddy Pineiro 36-yard FG139
3:14NOTony Jones Jr. 2-yard TD run Extends leadBlake Grupe XP209
1:16CARBryce Young → Adam Thielen, 3-yard TDBryce Young → Adam Thielen, 2-pt conversion2017

Fantasy Points: Saints vs Panthers, Week 2 2023

Fantasy leaders

  1. Adam ThielenCARWR20.4 PTSWR16
  2. Tony JonesNORB15.4 PTSRB16
  3. Chris OlaveNOWR14.6 PTSWR33
  4. Bryce YoungCARQB13.5 PTSQB25

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Derek CarrNOQB7.7QB3321/36228013-4065.5
Bryce YoungCARQB13.5QB2522/3315310234087.1Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Adam ThielenCARWR20.4WR16WR———97541
Tony JonesNORB15.4RB16RB123422000
Chris OlaveNOWR14.6WR33WR———116860Start/Sit →
Michael ThomasNOWR12.5WR42WR———97550
Rashid ShaheedNOWR10.3WR54WR———44630Start/Sit →
Chuba HubbardCARRB10.0RB24RB216055340Start/Sit →
Taysom HillNOTE8.7TE17TE975021-10
Miles SandersCARRB7.7RB31RB144305340
Jonathan MingoCARWR5.6WR77WR———83260Start/Sit →
Hayden HurstCARTE5.0TE35TE———33200
Foster MoreauNOTE4.0TE41TE———22200Start/Sit →
Juwan JohnsonNOTE3.3TE45TE———32130Start/Sit →
Jamaal WilliamsNORB2.9RB55RB9290————
DJ CharkCARWR2.5WR98WR———11150
Laviska ShenaultCARWR0.7WR124WR170————
Keith KirkwoodNOWR0.0—WR———1000

Fantasy Usage

New Orleans Saints

Snap Share

  1. Juwan JohnsonTE62 snaps81%
  2. Chris OlaveWR61 snaps79%
  3. Michael ThomasWR60 snaps78%
  4. Tony JonesRB40 snaps52%
  5. Rashid ShaheedWR38 snaps49%

Target Share34 targets

  1. Chris Olave32%, 11 targets
  2. Michael Thomas26%, 9 targets
  3. Rashid Shaheed12%, 4 targets
  4. Juwan Johnson9%, 3 targets
  5. Taysom Hill6%, 2 targets
  6. Other15%, 5 targets

Carry Share33 carries

  1. Tony Jones36%, 12 carries
  2. Jamaal Williams27%, 9 carries
  3. Taysom Hill27%, 9 carries
  4. Derek Carr9%, 3 carries

Carolina Panthers

Snap Share

  1. Jonathan MingoWR59 snaps98%
  2. Adam ThielenWR52 snaps87%
  3. DJ CharkWR37 snaps62%
  4. Miles SandersRB37 snaps62%
  5. Hayden HurstTE33 snaps55%

Target Share31 targets

  1. Adam Thielen29%, 9 targets
  2. Jonathan Mingo26%, 8 targets
  3. Miles Sanders16%, 5 targets
  4. Chuba Hubbard16%, 5 targets
  5. Hayden Hurst10%, 3 targets
  6. Other3%, 1 targets

Carry Share19 carries

  1. Miles Sanders74%, 14 carries
  2. Chuba Hubbard11%, 2 carries
  3. Bryce Young11%, 2 carries
  4. Laviska Shenault5%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Jonathan MingoCARWR5998%826%0
Adam ThielenCARWR5287%929%0
Juwan JohnsonNOTE6281%39%0
Chris OlaveNOWR6179%1132%0
Michael ThomasNOWR6078%926%0
DJ CharkCARWR3762%13%0
Miles SandersCARRB3762%516%14
Hayden HurstCARTE3355%310%0
Tony JonesNORB4052%26%12
Rashid ShaheedNOWR3849%412%0
Foster MoreauNOTE3647%26%0
Taysom HillNOTE3140%26%9
Terrace MarshallCARWR2237%00%0
Chuba HubbardCARRB2237%516%2
Ian ThomasCARTE1932%00%0
Jamaal WilliamsNORB1823%00%9
Keith KirkwoodNOWR1722%13%0
Laviska ShenaultCARWR1017%00%1
Tommy TrembleCARTE813%00%0
Jimmy GrahamNOTE1013%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+5.4Adam Thielen20.4 PTS vs 15.0 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−9.3Derek Carr7.7 PTS vs 17.0 xFP
  • Highest expected volume18.4 xFPChris Olave14.6 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Chris OlaveNO · WR14.618.4−3.879%32% tgt—000%1132%
Derek CarrNO · QB7.717.0−9.390%36 att—3639%00%
Miles SandersCAR · RB7.716.9−9.262%74% car—01474%516%
Bryce YoungCAR · QB13.515.1−1.698%33 att—33211%00%
Adam ThielenCAR · WR20.415.0+5.487%29% tgt—000%929%
Michael ThomasNO · WR12.515.0−2.578%26% tgt—000%926%
Jonathan MingoCAR · WR5.613.4−7.898%26% tgt—000%826%
Tony Jones Jr.NO · —15.410.7+4.752%36% car—01236%26%
Chuba HubbardCAR · RB10.09.6+0.437%16% tgt—0211%516%
Taysom HillNO · TE8.79.3−0.640%27% car—1927%26%
Rashid ShaheedNO · WR10.36.7+3.649%12% tgt—000%412%
Jamaal WilliamsNO · RB2.95.5−2.623%27% car—0927%00%
Hayden HurstCAR · TE5.05.00.055%10% tgt—000%310%
Juwan JohnsonNO · TE3.35.0−1.781%9% tgt—000%39%
Foster MoreauNO · TE4.03.3+0.747%6% tgt—000%26%
DJ CharkCAR · WR2.51.7+0.862%3% tgt—000%13%
Keith KirkwoodNO · WR0.01.7−1.722%3% tgt—000%13%
Laviska Shenault Jr.CAR · WR0.70.6+0.117%5% car—015%00%

Team totals: Saints 34 targets and 33 carries; Panthers 31 targets and 19 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2023 season: 1.67 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.61 per carry and 0.42 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Derek Carr Unlucky

NO · QB · 7.7 pts on 17.0 expected

21 of 36 passing for 228 yards, 1 interception; 3 carries for -4 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 17.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Bryce Young

CAR · QB · 13.5 pts on 15.1 expected

22 of 33 passing for 153 yards, 1 touchdown; 2 carries for 34 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.1 expected.

Start/Sit: Bryce Young →

Chris Olave Volume, no payoff

NO · WR · 14.6 pts on 18.4 expected

11 targets (32% of the team's), 6 catches for 86 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.4 expected.

Trend: Season high in targets (11).

Start/Sit: Chris Olave →

Michael Thomas

NO · WR · 12.5 pts on 15.0 expected

9 targets (26% of the team's), 7 catches for 55 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.0 expected.

Trend: Season high in targets (9).

Miles Sanders Volume, no payoff

CAR · RB · 7.7 pts on 16.9 expected

5 targets (16% of the team's), 3 catches for 4 yards; 14 carries (74% of the team's) for 43 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 16.9 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Adam Thielen Ran hot

CAR · WR · 20.4 pts on 15.0 expected

9 targets (29% of the team's), 7 catches for 54 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 15.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Trend: Season high in targets (9).

Jonathan Mingo Unlucky

CAR · WR · 5.6 pts on 13.4 expected

8 targets (26% of the team's), 3 catches for 26 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Trend: Season high in targets (8).

Start/Sit: Jonathan Mingo →

Tony Jones Jr.

NO · — · 15.4 pts on 10.7 expected

2 targets (6% of the team's), 0 catches for 0 yards; 12 carries (36% of the team's) for 34 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.7 expected.

Trend: Season high in carries (12).

Stock Up, Stock Down

New Orleans Saints

  • Stock up: Tony Jones Jr. played 52% of the snaps, up from a 11% season average.
  • Stock up: Taysom Hill played 40% of the snaps, up from a 14% season average.
  • Stock down: Jamaal Williams played 23% of the snaps, down from a 75% season average.

Carolina Panthers

  • Stock down: Laviska Shenault Jr. played 17% of the snaps, down from a 32% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2023 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Saints defense and Panthers defense
Points allowed toSaints DPanthers D
QBs15.412.7
RBs19.322.6
WRs29.927.1
TEs12.410.0

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Carolina opened at 50% win probability and fell below 2% in the fourth quarter.

Panthers win probability

Panthers win probability by game minutePanthers started at 50%, stood at 38% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 8 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −10Grupe 28-yd FG60% → 50%Q1 0:36
  2. −11Grupe 23-yd FG50% → 39%Q2 9:52
  3. +14Pineiro 54-yd FG36% → 50%Q3 9:10
  4. −33Jones 2-yd TD run50% → 17%Q3 2:56
  5. +12Pineiro 36-yd FG4% → 16%Q4 5:30

Swing in Panthers win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Saints vs Panthers
New Orleans SaintsMeasureCarolina Panthers
74Plays56
55%Pass rate66%
5.0Yds / dropback3.8
4.1Yds / carry5.3
7/16Third downs4/14

Efficiency edge New Orleans ran 18 more plays and gained 1.2 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • NO Olave 32% · Thomas 26% · Shaheed 12%
  • CAR Thielen 29% · Mingo 26% · Hubbard 16%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Saints vs Panthers
ResultNOCAR
Touchdowns21
Field goals23
Punts55
Turnovers11
  • The Panthers opened the scoring on their first possession, a 9-play, 31-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
All 22 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
NOQ1 15:006113:03Punt
CARQ1 11:579314:53Field goal
NOQ1 7:0415656:28Field goal
CARQ1 0:36341:21Punt
NOQ2 14:1512514:23Field goal
CARQ2 9:523-31:31Punt
NOQ2 8:214192:03Punt
CARQ2 6:184222:15Punt
NOQ2 4:03360:57Interception
CARQ2 3:064161:25Fumble
NOQ2 1:416-21:13Punt
CARQ2 0:28130:28End of half
CARQ3 15:006243:17Punt
NOQ3 11:43331:18Punt
CARQ3 10:25451:15Field goal
NOQ3 9:1010756:14Touchdown
CARQ3 2:56331:31Punt
NOQ3 1:257333:38Punt
CARQ4 12:4711627:17Field goal
NOQ4 5:306792:16Touchdown
CARQ4 3:1411751:58Touchdown
NOQ4 1:16471:16End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Saints vs Panthers Head-to-Head

The Saints and Panthers first met in 1995 and have played 63 times since. They have been NFC South rivals since 1995.

All-time series
34–29Saints lead, 63 meetings since 1995
Postseason
1–0Saints won in 2017
Largest Saints win
47–102024
Largest Panthers win
45–131999

Since 2021

6–4 Saints lead

10 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. S = Saints win, P = Panthers win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 10 Panthers at Saints Upcoming
  • Week 14 Saints at Panthers Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2023 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Saints vs Panthers
SaintsStatPanthers
9-8Record2-15
23.6Points per game13.9
337.2Yards per game265.3
5.1Yards per play4.1
19.2Points allowed per game24.5
327.2Yards allowed per game293.9

Saints vs Panthers Fantasy Outlook for 2026

Two meetings are left on the 2026 schedule: Week 10 in New Orleans and Week 14 in Carolina. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2023 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Saints vs Panthers Game FAQ

Who won the 2023 Saints vs Panthers Week 2 game?

The New Orleans Saints beat the Carolina Panthers 20–17 in Week 2 of the 2023 season. The game was played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC, on September 18, 2023. See the Saints' 2023 schedule.

What was the final score of Saints vs Panthers?

The final score was Saints 20, Panthers 17. The Saints led 6–3 at halftime, and the second half went Saints 14, Panthers 14.

What happened in the Saints vs Panthers game?

New Orleans led 6–3 at halftime to win 20–17. The Saints finished with a 341–239 edge in total offense and averaged 4.6 yards per play. Adam Thielen led all players with 7 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Saints vs Panthers?

Adam Thielen led the game with 20.4 PPR fantasy points, the WR16 of Week 2, on 7 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. Tony Jones was next with 15.4 (RB16).

Who led Saints vs Panthers in passing, rushing and receiving?

Derek Carr (NO) led all passers with 21 of 36 for 228 yards and an interception. Taysom Hill (NO) led in rushing with 9 carries for 75 yards. Chris Olave (NO) led in receiving with 6 catches for 86 yards.

How many fantasy points did Adam Thielen score against the Saints?

Adam Thielen scored 20.4 points in PPR leagues, 16.9 in half-PPR and 13.4 in standard scoring against the Saints in Week 2 of the 2023 season, on 7 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. He drew 29% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Saints vs Panthers?

Adam Thielen outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 20.4 PPR points on 15.0 xFP (+5.4). Derek Carr fell furthest short, with 7.7 points on 17.0 xFP (−9.3). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Saints vs Panthers?

Chris Olave had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 18.4 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 14.6. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Saints beat the Panthers?

The Saints beat the Panthers 20–17 because they averaged 4.6 yards per play to 4.3 and outgained them 341–239.

What was the turning point of Saints vs Panthers?

Tony Jones Jr.'s 2-yard touchdown run with 2:56 left in the third quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the Panthers' win probability from 50% to 17%.

What is the all-time Saints vs Panthers record?

The Saints lead the all-time series 34–29 across 63 meetings since 1995, including a 1–0 record in the postseason.

When did the Saints and Panthers last play before this game?

Before Week 2 of 2023, they last met in the 2022 season on January 8, 2023, when the Panthers beat the Saints 10–7.

Have the Saints and Panthers met in the playoffs?

Yes, 1 time, most recently in the 2017 playoffs. The Saints are 1–0 against the Panthers in the postseason.

What is the Saints vs Panthers record since 2021?

The Saints lead 6–4 across 10 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.