The New Orleans Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers 20–17 on December 14, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in Week 15 of the NFL season. Tyler Shough passed for 272 yards, Chris Olave caught the tying touchdown, and Charlie Smyth delivered the winning field goal with two seconds remaining.
This Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints match player stats breakdown covers the latest completed meeting as of November 1, 2026. New Orleans recovered from a 10-point third-quarter deficit, while Carolina missed an opportunity to strengthen its position in the NFC South.
Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints Player Stats
Game date: December 14, 2025
Competition: NFL regular season, Week 15
Venue: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans
Final score: New Orleans Saints 20, Carolina Panthers 17
| Player | Team | Key statistics |
|---|---|---|
| Tyler Shough | Saints | 24/32 passing, 272 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT |
| Bryce Young | Panthers | 15/24 passing, 163 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT; 49 rushing yards |
| Chris Olave | Saints | 6 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD |
| Devaughn Vele | Saints | 5 receptions, 69 yards |
| Jalen Coker | Panthers | 4 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD |
| Rico Dowdle | Panthers | 16 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD |
| Devin Neal | Saints | 7 carries, 28 yards, 1 TD |
| Chuba Hubbard | Panthers | 8 carries, 29 yards |
| Charlie Smyth | Saints | 2/2 field goals, including the 47-yard winner |
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Tyler Shough Led the Saints’ Comeback
Shough completed 75% of his passes and finished without an interception. His performance became particularly valuable late in the fourth quarter, when New Orleans needed consecutive scoring possessions to turn a deficit into victory.
Trailing 17–10, the Saints began their tying drive with 4:37 remaining. Shough completed six of seven passes for 83 yards during that possession, overcoming a penalty along the way.
He finished the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Olave with 2:29 left. After the defense forced Carolina to punt, Shough returned to lead the possession that set up Smyth’s winning kick.
The important distinction was execution under pressure. Shough’s overall passing production kept New Orleans competitive, but his accuracy during the closing minutes decided the outcome.
Chris Olave Was the Leading Receiving Threat
Olave finished with a game-high 85 receiving yards on six catches. His touchdown tied the score, but his work throughout that possession was just as important.
He caught four passes for 63 yards on the tying drive, giving Shough a dependable target when the Saints needed to move quickly.
Devaughn Vele contributed five receptions for 69 yards before leaving with a shoulder injury. Tight end Juwan Johnson added four catches for 30 yards.
Together, those contributions gave New Orleans multiple options through the air. Carolina could not contain the passing game consistently enough to preserve its advantage.
Bryce Young Protected the Ball but Carolina Stalled
Young completed 15 of 24 passes for 163 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He finished with a 96.4 passer rating and added 49 rushing yards on seven attempts.
Those numbers reflect a controlled performance, but Carolina needed more production during the final stages. Avoiding interceptions helped the Panthers build their lead; sustaining another scoring drive could have helped protect it.
Young’s mobility was useful. His rushing total matched Dowdle’s, and his ability to escape pressure provided an additional route to first downs.
However, Carolina’s passing attack produced fewer yards and completions than New Orleans’. That difference became more significant once the Saints began scoring late.
Jalen Coker and Rico Dowdle Supplied Carolina’s Touchdowns
Coker led the Panthers with four receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown. His 32-yard scoring catch in the third quarter extended Carolina’s lead to 17–7.
Xavier Legette added two catches for 39 yards, including a 34-yard reception. Tetairoa McMillan finished with two receptions for 25 yards.
Dowdle scored Carolina’s opening touchdown on a four-yard run and finished with 49 yards on 16 carries. Hubbard added 29 yards on eight attempts.
The two running backs combined for 78 yards on 24 carries, averaging approximately 3.3 yards per attempt. Carolina accumulated more rushing yards overall, but Young’s contribution accounted for a substantial portion of that advantage.
How the Saints Reversed a 10-Point Deficit
Carolina opened the scoring with Dowdle’s touchdown run. New Orleans responded in the second quarter through Neal, whose four-yard touchdown finished a 17-play, 95-yard possession.
Ryan Fitzgerald’s 40-yard field goal gave the Panthers a 10–7 halftime lead. Young’s touchdown pass to Coker then pushed the margin to 10 points.
Smyth reduced the deficit with a 42-yard field goal late in the third quarter. New Orleans subsequently scored the game’s final 10 points during the last 2:29.
Olave’s touchdown brought the teams level. The Saints’ defense then secured another possession, with Chase Young’s late nine-yard sack helping disrupt Carolina’s response.
New Orleans took over with 57 seconds remaining and moved into field-goal range. Smyth converted from 47 yards, completing the comeback.
Team Statistics Show Where New Orleans Gained Its Edge
| Statistic | Panthers | Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Total net yards | 281 | 337 |
| Net passing yards | 154 | 256 |
| Rushing yards | 127 | 81 |
| First downs | 15 | 27 |
| Third-down conversions | 7/14 | 6/11 |
| Penalties–yards | 11–103 | 9–78 |
| Time of possession | 28:16 | 31:44 |
Net passing yards include deductions for yardage lost on sacks.
New Orleans’ clearest advantage came through the air. The Saints finished with 102 more net passing yards and twice as many passing first downs, 14 to seven.
Carolina’s rushing advantage kept the contest competitive, but it did not produce enough late scoring. The Panthers finished without a fourth-quarter point.
Penalties also affected the result. Carolina committed 11 for 103 yards, including unnecessary roughness calls involving Derrick Brown and Lathan Ransom that helped New Orleans on scoring possessions.
Ransom’s penalty during the final drive was particularly costly because it moved the Saints closer to the eventual winning field goal.
Injuries and the Immediate Standings Impact
Alvin Kamara was inactive for New Orleans. Neal scored a touchdown before leaving with a hamstring injury, while Vele and right guard Cesar Ruiz also departed with injuries.
These details describe availability during the December 2025 game and should not be treated as current injury updates.
The victory improved New Orleans to 4–10. Carolina fell to 7–7, leaving the Panthers tied with Tampa Bay atop the NFC South at that stage of the season.
For Carolina, the frustration was straightforward: a divisional road victory had been within reach. For New Orleans, the finish demonstrated its ability to recover through timely passing, defensive stops and accurate kicking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the latest Panthers vs Saints game?
The Saints won 20–17 on December 14, 2025, at Caesars Superdome.
What were Bryce Young’s statistics?
Young completed 15 of 24 passes for 163 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed for 49 yards.
How did Tyler Shough perform?
Shough completed 24 of 32 passes for 272 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
Who had the most receiving yards?
Chris Olave led both teams with 85 receiving yards on six catches and scored the tying touchdown.
Who kicked the winning field goal?
Charlie Smyth made a 47-yard field goal with two seconds remaining.
Conclusion
The Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints match player stats highlight the importance of late-game execution. Shough and Olave powered the comeback, the Saints’ defense created one final opportunity, and Smyth completed the recovery. Carolina’s inability to extend its lead and its costly penalties proved decisive. Follow our future NFL coverage for more player statistics, results and game analysis.
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