The Carolina Panthers moved to 3-0 for the first time since 2003 and banished the New Orleans Saints to 0-3 to start on the strength of a 300-yard passing day from Cam Newton in a 27-22 win. Here is what you need to know:
1) Greg Olsen can't be guarded. Cam Newton's go-to target destroyed the Saints' defense. Whether it was a safety, linebacker or corner, New Orleans had no one to match up with the tight end. Olsen finished with eight catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns on 11 targets. Who needs wide receivers?
2) The Saints' defense is terrible. The battered secondary is particularly brutal, giving up two 50-plus-yard catches. New Orleans' defense made a Panthers' offense that came in looking anemic appear explosive. Corner Brandon Browner continued his disappointing season, getting smoked by Ted Ginn Jr. for a bomb. The poor play led to Sean Payton and Rob Ryan bickering on the sidelines. This marriage can't last much longer.
3) It's safe to say Verizon won't be ashamed of Luke McCown's game. In his first start since 2011, McCown played excellent in place of Drew Brees. The Saints' offense was what we expected entering the season, with the ground game and short-passing offense controlling the clock early (holding it for nearly 12 minutes of the first quarter).
McCown's displayed precision in dicing up the Panthers' secondary, going 30-of-37 passing for an astounding 81 completion percentage -- without brutal drops late and a fantastic interception by Panthers CB Josh Norman to thwart a comeback, McCown's numbers would have looked ever better. The backup gave the Saints a chance to win. The defense let them down.
4) Newton slung it with confidence all game long. The QB's accuracy still waxes and wanes, but with huge windows to throw in to, thanks to the Saints' pathetic secondary, he was able to throw for 300-plus yards for the first time since Week 10 2014.
5) The Panthers' defense clearly missed Luke Kuechly. Carolina couldn't stop McCown's quick-passing offense, especially on looks over the middle where Kuechly usually patrols.
