CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Backup quarterback Luke McCown gave the New Orleans Saints a chance to win in Drew Brees' absence. But their defense didn't in a 27-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.
The Saints (0-3) have not yet fixed a defense that was so woeful last year. They blew a 10-0 lead by getting picked apart by Panthers quarterback Cam Newton's arm and legs. Then their late rally fell short when McCown threw his only interception with 1:17 remaining on a fantastic leaping pick in the end zone by Carolina cornerback Josh Norman.
Newton threw for 315 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran for 33 yards and a score. Carolina tight end Greg Olsen caught eight passes for 134 yards and two scores. And Carolina won the turnover battle 2-0.
Saints coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan were jawing back and forth at each other after a 12-men-on-the-field penalty in the third quarter -- another moment reminiscent of last year. It should help the Saints defense when injured veterans Keenan Lewis, Jairus Byrd and Dannell Ellerbe return. But it might be too little, too late.
What it means: The Saints will eventually get healthier on both sides of the ball, but this 0-3 hole will be difficult to dig out of. Only three teams have made the playoffs since 1990 after 0-3 starts, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Brees' status remains uncertain for the New Orleans' Week 4 Sunday night home game against the Dallas Cowboys, who are even more depleted by injuries.
The good news for the Saints is that their offense finally started to find a nice rhythm with an efficient mix of runs and short passes. McCown completed 19 of his first 20 passes and finished 31-of-38 for 310 yards. But they still couldn't hit on the big plays that have been missing all year.
Costly drops: The Saints doomed themselves with bad hands on several occasions. McCown dropped the snap on a missed extra point in the third quarter, which ultimately forced New Orleans to go for a touchdown instead of a field goal late in the game. Tight end Benjamin Watson lost a fumble in the third quarter after the Saints had crossed midfield. And receivers Willie Snead and Marques Colston each dropped passes during the futile fourth-quarter rally.
One reason to get excited: Saints rookie Marcus Murphy returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter -- New Orleans' first punt return for a TD since Darren Sproles in 2011. Murphy has muffed two punts in the past two weeks, but he got a chance to make up for his latest one when the Panthers had to re-kick because of a penalty. And he made up for it in a big way.
One reason to panic: Cornerback Brandon Browner had a rough day. He got burned twice on deep balls -- a 52-yarder to Olsen and a 55-yarder to Ted Ginn Jr. And Newton just missed on a third deep ball to Ginn over Browner's head. Browner also was flagged for a costly contact penalty that gave the Panthers a first down. The Saints like Browner's physical presence, but they need to make sure teams can't keep exploiting his speed limitations.
Fantasy watch: I expected more from C.J. Spiller, who had only one rush for 4 yards and two catches for 22 yards. He may have still been a limited part of the game plan after returning from a knee injury last week. But touches might also be limited by the Saints' crowded backfield.
Ouch: The Saints didn't appear to have any new injuries of note on Sunday -- but they had big names on the inactive list with Brees, guard Jahri Evans, Lewis, Byrd and Ellerbe all out.
