McCaffrey finished the game with 137 yards on 29 touches, including a fourth-quarter touchdown which took away what little doubt remained.
Along with what’s becoming the normal big day for DJ Moore (eight catches for 79 yards), it was an efficient if not amazing day against a depleted Saints defense.
The Saints were without Marshon Lattimore and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (in addition to the two starters placed on IR this week, and the eight coaches held out because of COVID-19), and it showed.
The Panthers raced to an early lead, with Darnold having another excellent first half (16-of-20 for 216 yards and two touchdowns). Then they were able to hold on, a little more comfortably than a week ago against the Jets.
It’s still a work in progress, but at least they’re progressing.
— The kicking thing is a thing again.
New kicker Zane Gonzalez had a 50-yard field goal attempt blocked, and missed an extra point in the fourth quarter.
He’ll be here for the next two weeks, since you have to guarantee three weeks of salary and roster spot when you sign a player off another team’s practice squad (Gonzalez was with the Lions).
But after they cut bait on Ryan Santoso rather than giving up a seventh-round pick for him, after cutting bait on now-Texans kicker Joey Slye, it’s something they have to monitor.
Gonzalez hit a 42-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, but this is what it’s going to be like when you have replacement-level kickers.
— The Panthers do have some injuries to keep an eye on during the short week.
Left guard Pat Elflein left early in the second quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. He was replaced in the lineup by Dennis Daley.
Daley left for a series in the second half and was replaced by Brady Christensen.
Left tackle Cameron Erving and Burris each left briefly but returned, and defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos also limped off the field with an ankle injury.
