The No. 2 play of the season for the Panthers might have been Josh Norman's second-best play of the week.
But this one, unlike the first one, was on display for all of the world to see.
"That's his second amazing pick," quarterback Cam Newton said. "It's incredible to see practice carry over to the game."
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Newton said Norman made an interception in practice leading up to Carolina's Week 3 showdown against the New Orleans Saints that rivaled the one he made on game day, but there was no comparison when it came to the impact on the Panthers' division rival. Facing a must-win after starting 0-2 and playing the 2-0 Panthers with backup quarterback Josh McCown starting for injured Drew Brees, the Saints put up a valiant effort.
But just in the nick of time, Norman stepped up.
With 1:17 left and the Panthers clinging to a 27-22 lead, McCown directed the Saints to the Carolina 23 and took a shot to the end zone for speedster Brandin Cooks, who appeared to have a step on Norman. But the cornerback made up the ground by throwing his body backwards for a leaping interception that sealed the victory.
"It's typical J-No," safety Roman Harper said. "He's definitely going to make it pretty. Full extension, horizontal to the ground. That's just what he does. You see him do it every day in practice."
