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The Latest: Saints have 21-9 lead over Panthers at the half

The Latest on the NFL playoffs on wild-card weekend (all times EST):

6:20 p.m.

The New Orleans Saints' ability to convert in the red zone has given them a 21-9 halftime lead over the Carolina Panthers in their NFC wild-card matchup.

But the Panthers, who'll receive the kickoff to open the second half, took some momentum into the locker room after Graham Gano narrowly made a 58-yard field-goal attempt as time expired in the second quarter.

Brees went 13 of 18 for 230 yards and two touchdowns in the half, including an 80-yard pass to Ted Ginn for the first points of the game late in the first quarter.