Carolina Panthers 21-31 New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara stars for hosts in NFC South win

Rookie running sensation Alvin Kamara scored two touchdowns as the New Orleans Saints reclaimed sole possession of first place in the NFC South with a 31-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Kamara finished with 122 yards from scrimmage, while Mark Ingram also rushed for 85 yards and a score for the Saints (9-3), who own the head-to-head tie-breaker over Carolina (8-4) with four games to go.

Drew Brees passed for 269 yards, including a 10-yard TD to Michael Thomas a few plays after a botched Panthers punt gave New Orleans the ball on the Carolina 31.

In the fourth quarter, another Carolina special teams gaff – a fumble by punt returner Kaelin Clay – near midfield set up Wil Lutz’s 31-yard field goal to give New Orleans a 31-14 lead.

Cam Newton passed for 183 yards and touchdowns of 21 yards to Christian McCaffrey, and 24 yards to Devin Funchess late on to bring the Panthers back to within 10. But a failed onside kick followed and the Saints were able to run out the clock.

Earlier, in the first quarter, Jonathan Stewart had run in for a short TD run for Carolina to tie the game at 7-7 after Kamara’s first score of the day.

But, New Orleans streaked ahead with two touchdowns in the second quarter and Kamara’s in the third and, though the Panthers (8-4) tried to fight back late, their four-game win streak comes to an end.

Elsewhere, in the other late games in the NFL….

Giants 17-24 Raiders

Marshawn Lynch rushed for 101 yards, with a 51-yard touchdown, and Derek Carr threw for 287 yards and a score as the Raiders (6-6) overcame the Giants (2-10).

Giants quarterback Geno Smith – starting in place of benched Eli Manning – completed 21 of 34 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown, but lost two fumbles.

Browns 10-19 Chargers

New Chargers kicker Travis Coons tied a career-high with four field goals, and Keenan Allen added a touchdown catch in the victory over still-winless Cleveland (0-12).

The Chargers (6-6) now move into a three-way tie for first place in the AFC West with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Raiders.

Rams 32-16 Cardinals

Jared Goff had two touchdown passes, while linebacker Alec Ogletree returned an interception for a score in Los Angeles’ win at Arizona.

With their sixth victory in seven games, the Rams (9-3) strengthened their hold on first place in the NFC West and all but assured the Cardinals (5-7) of missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

(c) Sky News 2017: Carolina Panthers 21-31 New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara stars for hosts in NFC South win