CHARLOTTE — Everything started the way the Panthers wanted.

It didn't stay that way.

And on a day when the run game was finally slowed down, they lacked answers.

The Saints beat the Panthers 17-7 Sunday at Bank of America Stadium, dropping the Panthers to 5-5 on the season.

It might have been a surprise after last week's Carolina win at Green Bay, but the Saints (2-8) had a simple plan and executed it.

New Orleans was committed to not letting Rico Dowdle destroy them, and they were largely successful.

He finished with just 53 yards rushing on 18 carries, and without the kind of performance they had come to expect from him, the offense was never in rhythm as a result.

Bryce Young was 17-of-25 for 124 yards with an interception and a fumble.

The first drive of the game was textboo

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