Remember the pre-five-game-losing streak Carolina Panthers defense? The one that could, prior to Monday night, kindly be described as “patchy”?
If not, they sure reminded everyone against the New Orleans Saints.
And it still wasn’t enough in a 12-9 loss that further diminished their now-miniscule playoff hopes.
The Panthers’ defense held the Saints to just six points in each half of a 12-9 loss — despite allowing a 21-yard third down conversion on quarterback Drew Brees’ first drive — the 16th 20-plus yard passing play in the last six games.