The rivalry between the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints has always been a defining fixture in the NFC South. Every season, fans look forward to these divisional battles, not only for the final score but also to see how the stars perform on the field. In 2024, the two teams met twice — once in Week 1 and again in Week 9. Both games told completely different stories, showcasing shifts in momentum, player growth, and tactical adjustments.
This article provides a complete breakdown of player stats, game leaders, and key moments from both matchups. From Bryce Young’s development to Alvin Kamara’s rushing dominance and Chris Olave’s explosive receiving plays, let’s dive into the numbers and performances that defined Panthers vs Saints in 2024.
Quick Game Summaries
Week 1: September 8, 2024 – New Orleans Saints 47, Carolina Panthers 10
The Saints opened their season in emphatic fashion at the Caesars Superdome, overwhelming the Panthers with a dominant offensive and defensive display.
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Passing Leader: Derek Carr – 256 yards, 4 touchdowns, zero turnovers
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Rushing Leader: Alvin Kamara – 112 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns
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Receiving Leader: Chris Olave – 104 yards, 2 touchdowns
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Defensive Standout: Cameron Jordan – 2 sacks, constant backfield pressure
Takeaway: New Orleans showcased a balanced attack with Carr in rhythm, Kamara unstoppable on the ground, and Olave stretching the field. The Saints’ defense gave Bryce Young no breathing room, forcing turnovers and stalling Carolina’s drives.
Week 9: November 3, 2024 – Carolina Panthers 23, New Orleans Saints 22
The rematch in Charlotte was a completely different story. The Panthers adjusted, leaned on their ground game, and edged out the Saints in a nail-biting finish.
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Passing Leader: Derek Carr – 236 yards, 1 touchdown
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Rushing Leader: Alvin Kamara – 155 yards, a career day but no scores
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Panthers Spark: Chuba Hubbard – 72 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns
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Defensive Standout: Brian Burns – 1 sack, multiple QB pressures
Takeaway: Carolina flipped the script by finishing red-zone drives and standing tall on defense in the fourth quarter. Chuba Hubbard’s two touchdowns were the difference, giving Bryce Young his first big divisional victory.
Passing Stats Breakdown
Week 1:
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Derek Carr: 23 completions, 256 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT
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Bryce Young: 15 completions, 139 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT
Week 9:
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Carr: 20 completions, 236 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
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Young: 16 completions, 171 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Analysis: Carr outperformed Young in both meetings, showcasing composure and efficiency. However, Young showed progress in Week 9 by throwing his first touchdown against New Orleans and limiting mistakes.
Rushing Stats Breakdown
Week 1:
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Alvin Kamara: 18 carries, 112 yards, 2 TD
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Panthers RBs: 64 yards combined
Week 9:
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Kamara: 22 carries, 155 yards
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Chuba Hubbard: 14 carries, 72 yards, 2 TD
Analysis: Kamara proved his consistency, topping 100 yards in both games. Yet, Hubbard’s Week 9 performance gave Carolina the spark they lacked in the opener, showing how impactful timely red-zone rushing can be.
Receiving Stats Breakdown
Week 1:
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Chris Olave: 8 catches, 104 yards, 2 TD
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Carolina’s leading receiver: under 50 yards
Week 9:
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Olave: 7 catches, 89 yards, 1 TD
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Xavier Legette: 5 catches, 62 yards
Analysis: Olave remained a problem for Carolina’s defense, scoring in both games and consistently moving the chains. By Week 9, Carolina’s young receivers started contributing, giving Young more reliable options.
Defensive Highlights
Week 1 (Saints):
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Cameron Jordan: 2 sacks
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Demario Davis: 9 tackles, 1 interception
Week 9 (Panthers):
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Brian Burns: 1 sack, 2 QB hits
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Secondary: 4 passes defended, including two key fourth-quarter stops
Analysis: New Orleans’ defense overwhelmed Carolina early in the season, but the Panthers turned things around in Charlotte, tightening coverage and generating just enough pressure to limit Carr’s red-zone success.
Head-to-Head Player Comparisons
Derek Carr vs Bryce Young
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Carr (two games): 492 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT, 71% completion
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Young (two games): 310 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT, 54% completion
Verdict: Carr had the edge, but Young’s Week 9 growth was a positive sign for Carolina’s future.
Alvin Kamara vs Panthers RBs
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Kamara (two games): 267 yards, 2 TD
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Panthers RBs (two games): 136 yards, 2 TD
Verdict: Kamara was the most consistent offensive weapon across both meetings, but Hubbard’s clutch scores in Week 9 gave Carolina the win.
Chris Olave vs Panthers WRs
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Olave (two games): 193 yards, 3 TD
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Carolina WRs (two games): 110 yards, 0 TD
Verdict: Olave dominated Carolina’s secondary, reaffirming his role as the Saints’ top offensive threat.
Key Turning Points
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Week 1, Q2: Carr’s 32-yard strike to Olave extended the lead, killing Panthers’ momentum.
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Week 1, Q4: A defensive pick-six sealed the blowout.
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Week 9, Q3: Hubbard’s rushing touchdown shifted momentum back to Carolina.
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Week 9, Q4: Panthers’ defense forced a late turnover on downs, sealing the one-point win.
Notes & Milestones
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The Saints’ 47-point opener was their highest Week 1 total in years.
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Bryce Young earned his first divisional win in Week 9.
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Alvin Kamara recorded back-to-back 100+ yard games against Carolina for the first time.
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Chris Olave reached double-digit career touchdowns faster than any Saints WR in recent memory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who were the top performers in the Panthers vs Saints rivalry in 2024?
Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, Derek Carr, and Chuba Hubbard stood out as key performers.
Q2. How did Bryce Young perform against the Saints?
He struggled in Week 1 but improved in Week 9 with a touchdown and fewer turnovers.
Q3. What was the biggest difference between the two games?
In Week 1, the Saints’ defense controlled everything. In Week 9, Carolina’s rushing game and defensive adjustments turned the tide.
Q4. Who had the best overall performance?
Alvin Kamara was consistently dominant, but Chuba Hubbard’s clutch touchdowns made the biggest impact in Carolina’s win.
Q5. What made the Week 9 game different from Week 1?
Carolina executed better in the red zone, leaned on Hubbard, and the defense made critical stops late.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 Panthers vs Saints rivalry was a tale of two games:
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In Week 1, the Saints dominated with Derek Carr’s precision, Kamara’s balance, and Olave’s explosiveness.
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In Week 9, the Panthers fought back with improved offense, Chuba Hubbard’s clutch rushing, and defensive grit.
Both teams showcased their strengths, but these meetings proved how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL. For fans, these games were more than divisional matchups — they were lessons in momentum, resilience, and the power of key players stepping up when it mattered most.
