Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS, La. – It was an absolute heart-stopper on Poydras Street Sunday afternoon where the New Orleans Saints eked out a 20-17 victory over the Carolina Panthers to advance to 4-10 on the season.
THE STORY
Saints kicker Charlie Smyth is not just a hero in his hometown of Mayobridge, Ireland, he’s the hero of New Orleans after sinking a 47-yard game-winning field goal.
His fifth career regular season field goal attempt produced a massive moment.
New Orleans has now won back-to-back games for the first time since the 2024 season.
Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough played a tough and resilient game, taking a couple of late hits in the process and finding back wide receivers Devaughn Vele and Chris Olave in big situations.
An absolute stunner ends in dramatic fashion as the Saints complete the sweep over the Panthers and play spoiler to a divisional opponent for the second week in a row.
The Plays
Rico gets us rollin’
📺: FOX
Posts and reposts = 2 votes
Rico Dowdle | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/keQ1kzrp4m
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 14, 2025
What a catch by Vele 🙌#Saints | 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/CzQY2dQ7ZF
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 14, 2025
TAKE IT TO EM ROOK!
Touchdown Devin Neal 🔥
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/Z4doWXlSsU
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 14, 2025
right in the 🪣
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/pNUWGbvPVd
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 14, 2025
Charlie Smyth hits a 47-yd FG to give the #Saints a 20-17 lead!!!!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/9A4kPh8QQg
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 15, 2025
THE STATS
- Shough broke the Saints’ rookie passing yards record in the third quarter, surpassing the 106 passing yards he needed to to reset the record. He also tied the franchise rookie record for passing touchdowns in a season with his sixth of the year.
- Rookie running back Devin Neal scored his second career touchdown in the second quarter.
THE INJURIES
- Neal was sent to the locker room after being evaluated late in the second quarter. He was ruled questionable to return with a hamstring injury before halftime. He was then ruled out at the start of the third quarter
- Right guard Cesar Ruiz was taken to the locker room partway through the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.
- Vele was brought back to the locker room as well with a shoulder injury.
- Shough was evaluated in the injury tent during the fourth quarter, but returned to action soon after.
