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As the 2012 season and year mercifully draw to a close, the New Orleans Saints, with an assist from a travesty of a replay review from the refs in the third quarter, somehow turned a 24-13 game into a 41-24 laugher (or slaughter, if you're violently-inclined), and the Carolina Panthers finished strong to win, 44-38.
Some records were set and tied along the way, both good and bad, but I'll let someone else write about that.
It was a very crappy way to end the year, and I'll just do my best to get out of the way and let our comments on this pitiful end to a pitiful season pave the way for a better and brighter 2013 for us all.
Thanks to everyone here @ CSC for a sometimes fun year, and always for bringing your "A" game. Time to retool for Payton's return.
Panthers vs Saints coverage
Team Stats
| CAR | NO | ||
| First Downs | 28 | 22 | |
| Total Yards | 530 | 441 | |
| Passing Yards | 257 | 378 | |
| Rushing Yards | 273 | 63 | |
| Penalties (Yds) | 4(36) | 5(55) | |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 | |
| Punts (AVG) | 2(41) | 6(30) | |
| Time of Pos. | 33:17 | 26:05 |
Top Performers
| NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | ||||
| Passing | CP/AT | YDS | TD | INT |
| D. Brees | 29/43 | 396 | 4 | 1 |
| Rushing | CAR | YDS | TD | LG |
| M. Ingram | 10 | 39 | 0 | 17 |
| C. Ivory | 4 | 22 | 0 | 11 |
| Receiving | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
| M. Colston | 5 | 52 | 2 | 18 |
| J. Graham | 9 | 115 | 1 | 27 |
| L. Moore | 4 | 121 | 0 | 51 |
| CAROLINA PANTHERS | ||||
| Passing | CP/AT | YDS | TD | INT |
| C. Newton | 16/33 | 248 | 0 | 1 |
| Rushing | CAR | YDS | TD | LG |
| D. Williams | 21 | 210 | 2 | 65 |
| C. Newton | 7 | 34 | 0 | 16 |
| Receiving | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
| B. LaFell | 5 | 62 | 0 | 19 |
| G. Olsen | 4 | 43 | 0 | 16 |
| D. Williams | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |