Charlotte, N.C. -- The New Orleans Saints seized command of the NFC South on Thursday night, beating the Carolina Panthers 28-10 to climb into first place at the midpoint of the season.
The Saints (4-4) snapped a seven-game regular-season road losing streak with a strong defensive effort that allowed the Panthers (3-5-1) to reach the end zone only once.
Saints running back Mark Ingram was a workhorse for the second game in a row, carrying 30 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns as teammates Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas were sidelined by injuries.
Ingram's 3-yard touchdown with 5:30 left in the fourth quarter capped an 80-yard drive, sealing the game and sending most of the 73,663 fans at Bank of America Stadium to the exits.
Quarterback Drew Brees (24-of-34, 297 yards) shook off a tough-luck start to involve all four receivers in the passing game and give tight end Jimmy Graham a team-high seven receptions for 83 yards and a big touchdown just before halftime.
The Saints led 14-0 at halftime, scoring both touchdowns in the final three minutes of the second quarter.
The teams traded long touchdown drives to start the third quarter.
Cam Newton led the Panthers on an 81-yard drive that ended with his dive into the corner of the end zone for a 10-yard score to cut their deficit to 14-7.
Brees capped the Saints' 14-play, 80-yard drive with a less graceful but equally effective leap (almost) over the pile for a 1-yard score on fourth-and-goal, pushing New Orleans back ahead 21-7.
Brees threw an interception on the first drive of the game and fumbled on the second, but neither turnover was entirely his fault.
The interception sailed through the hands and caromed off the chest of intended receiver Kenny Stills, who was closely defended by cornerback Antoine Cason. Defensive tackle Dwan Edwards caught the deflected pass.
On the fumble, Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson blew through fullback Erik Lorig, whose collision with Brees jarred the ball loose.
Significantly for the Saints, the Panthers converted neither turnover into points. The Saints also failed to take advantage of an interception by Newton, but quickly converted a fumble into a touchdown with just over two minutes left until halftime.
Facing third-and-long near his own goal line, Newton fumbled after being hit by Junior Galette. Brandon Deaderick appeared to recover, but linebacker Curtis Lofton emerged from the scrum holding the football.
The Saints scored on an Ingram run a few moments later to go ahead 7-0.
New Orleans then forced a Panthers punt and drove 85 yards in 1:46 for a touchdown. The drive was saved by a pass interference call in the end zone that gave Brees a chance to connect with Jimmy Graham on a 1-yard pass.
Newton (10-of-28, 151 yards) struggled against a Saints pass rush that has improved in each of the past three games. New Orleans sacked Newton four times and forced him to rush throws many times more.
The Saints return to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to play the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 9.
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