The first half of the first game of the 2024 season couldn’t have gone better for the New Orleans Saints as they opened a 30-3 lead over the Carolina Panthers at the Caesars Superdome.

The scoring began on the first possession with a 59-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Derek Carr to Rashid Shaheed. Safety Will Harris, in his first game with the Saints, intercepted a pass from Carolina quarterback Bryce Young on Young’s first pass attempt. The Saints converted that pass into a 57-yard field goal by Blake Grupe, his longest of his career.

On the next possession, the Saints’ running game took off as Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill led a 79-yard run that ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Carr to tight end Foster Moreau. Grupe then made another 44- and 52-yard field goals before Carr hit tight end Juwan Johnson for a 16-yard touchdown pass, a play set up by Shaheed’s 47-yard punt return. The Saints scored on all six possessions.

Kamara finished the half with 70 yards on 10 attempts, while Hill added 28 yards on four attempts to help the Saints rush for more than 100 yards, a focus of new coordinator Klint Kubiak. Carr was 12 of 16 passing for 121 yards and three touchdowns.

Rookie receiver Mason Tipton caught his first NFL pass in the second quarter. Moreau caught three balls for 21 yards, Shaheed two for 60 yards.

The defense was just as impressive as the new-look offense. In addition to Harris’ interception, safety Tyrann Mathieu forced and recovered a fumble in the second quarter, defensive back Alontae Taylor had two sacks, and new defensive end Chase Young and the defensive line put constant pressure on Bryce Young.

Carolina, which scored a 43-yard field goal on the final play of the half, will get the ball at the start of the second half.