Saints stay strong

DREW Brees powers New Orleans Saints past the Carolina Panthers. AFP

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The New Orleans Saints edged the Carolina Panthers, 34-31, on Wil Lutz’s last-gasp field goal to seize a four game lead in the National Football League’s (NFL) NFC South division.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees completed 30 of 39 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns, guiding New Orleans on the game-winning drive from their own 14-yard line with less than two minutes to play after Carolina kicker Joey Slye missed a potential game-winner from 28 yards.

Saints’ wide receiver Michael Thomas had 10 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, including a 24-yard catch on the game-winning field goal drive.

Although the Saints emerged with a healthy division lead with five games remaining, the game itself was far from a runaway.

Twelve penalties cost the Saints 123 yards and the Panthers were often able to capitalize.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan was charged with a personal foul with 3:26 to play in the first half, swinging his arm at Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen after the whistle when Allen had already been sacked.

The Panthers got a fresh set of downs and put together a touchdown drive to end the half as Carolina rallied from 14-0 to trail by two at the break.

Allen threw for three touchdowns without a turnover and Christian McCaffrey finished with 133 yards from scrimmage and two scores.