The New Orleans Saints marched nearly the length of the field to score their first touchdown against the Carolina Panthers. Rookie running back Devin Neal capped a 17-play, 95-yard drive – the team’s longest of the season, and their longest drive since at least 2000 – with a 4-yard touchdown run to erase Carolina’s early lead. The 22-year old running back wasn’t alive the last time the Saints covered this much ground.
Pinned at their own 5-yard line to start the series, rookie quarterback Tyler Shough quickly found a rhythm with wide receiver DeVaughn Vele, repeatedly attacking the Panthers’ defense in critical situations. Facing multiple long down-and-distance scenarios, Shough leaned on his go-to target, No. 14, connecting with Vele on gains of 17, 10, and 16 yards to keep the drive alive and move the Saints into scoring position.
TAKE IT TO EM ROOK!
Touchdown Devin Neal 🔥
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/Z4doWXlSsU
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 14, 2025
Despite committing seven penalties during the drive, New Orleans stayed composed and methodical, refusing to let self-inflicted mistakes derail the possession. The sustained effort paid off when Neal powered into the end zone, putting an exclamation point on a hard-fought series that showcased the offense’s resilience.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints vs Panthers highlights: Rookie RB Devin Neal rumbles in with TD
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