Saints Stun Panthers 20-17 with Last-Second Field Goal in Week 15 Thriller

Saints Deliver Crucial NFC South Upset

The New Orleans Saints pulled off a stunning comeback victory against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome. Charlie Smyth kicked a 47-yard field goal in the final seconds of regulation, lifting the Saints to a 20-17 comeback victory over the playoff-hopeful Carolina Panthers. This dramatic finish marked the Saints’ second consecutive victory and improved their record to 4-10.

Game-Winning Drive Seals the Victory

With the score tied at 17 the Saints took over with 57 seconds to play at the 8-yard line and quarterback Tyler Shough led a eight-play scoring drive for the winning points by Smyth, the kicker from Northern Ireland. The rookie quarterback demonstrated poise under pressure, connecting with Chris Olave on crucial passes late in the game to set up the winning field goal attempt.

Playoff Implications and Division Impact

The victory carries significant implications for the NFC South division race. The loss dropped Carolina to 7-7 and in a tie for first in the division with Tampa, a team the Saints upset last week. Despite their losing record, the win Sunday at the Caesars Superdome was the Saints’ second consecutive and improved them to 4-10, 3-2 in the NFC South.

Key Performances and Scoring Summary

The game featured impressive performances from both sides. The Panthers scored first on a 4-yard run by Rico Dowdle on the team’s opening possession and led until Shough hit Chris Olave with a 9-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 11. The Saints scored their first touchdown on a 4-yard run by Devin Neal with 3:32 left in the second quarter. The Saints have now positioned themselves as spoilers in the division, potentially affecting playoff scenarios for other NFC South teams.