The Saints kept their playoff hopes alive with an 18-10 win over the struggling Carolina Panthers. The defense led the way as they sacked Carolina quarterback Sam Darnold seven times. Defensive end Cam Jordan had 3.5 sacks and cornerback C-J Gardner-Johnson had the game-sealing interception. Gardner Johnson credits the defensive line.
“If it wasn’t for them I don’t think we would be playing as high, I mean you got to that front their props, I wouldn’t catch the picks, my guys would catch the picks, linebackers or nobody would be able to do the things we do without that front, I give a lot of credit to them,” said Gardner-Johnson.
The Saints offense struggled to run the football as the offensive line played without its start center and tackles. Quarterback Taysom Hill threw for 222 yards and one touchdown. Hill understands the is defense leading the way.
“My hat goes off to them it was a great effort from start to finish,” said Hill. “Such a great asset as a quarterback that you don’t need to press, you don’t need to push knowing those are going to prevent a lot of points from being scored.”
The win gives the Saints an 8-and-8 record heading into Sunday’s season finale at Atlanta. New Orleans offense has scored just one touchdown in the last three games and Coach Sean Payton credits the defense for keeping their playoff hopes alive.
“It’s a big reason right now why we are at eight wins is defensively, it was a good win to get,” said Payton.
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