CHARLOTTE – Cornerback Josh Norman came up with what most people would describe as an unbelievable interception to seal Sunday's victory over the New Orleans Saints, yet teammate after teammate described it as simply Norman being Norman.
That's because they've seen Norman make a similar play before – as in early in the week.
"That's his second amazing pick," quarterback Cam Newton said, referencing an interception Norman made in practice leading up to Sunday's victory. "One time a week, now that the season has started, we get an opportunity to go against the (first-team) defense, and that's in two-minute. … There were like 12 seconds left, and we've got two opportunities to go to the end zone. I throw a fade to a receiver, and Josh makes a play just like that.
"It's safe to say I gave him his preparation. It's incredible to see practice carry over to the game."
While Norman's play in practice won him bragging rights, the one Sunday earned the Panthers their first 3-0 start since 2003. Clinging to a 27-22 lead with just over a minute left and the Saints down to Carolina's 23-yard line, Norman skied high to pick a pass in the end zone intended for wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
Here's what some of his other teammates had to say about the play.
Head coach Ron Rivera: "It's just a Josh Norman play. When the young man gets the opportunity to play with vision, he gets the opportunity to make plays. He is a playmaker."
Tight end Greg Olsen: "That was unbelievable. We needed that bad. He's a special talent, no question about it. It was a critical play that saved the game. Who knows what happens if you just bats that down? What else can you say? It was an incredible interception."
Safety Roman Harper: "It's typical J-No. 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. He's just not going to give up. He's a gritty guy. He fights and competes every play."
Right guard Trai Turner: "I had a perfect view. I saw it and ran right on the field. It looked like an amazing play. He snagged it and tucked it in."
Center Ryan Kalil: "Awesome. I was really happy with it. Josh is playing really well for us, and he's making big plays. Obviously, I'm happy he's on our team."
View game action photos from Carolina's 27-22 win over New Orleans.
New Orleans Saints' Luke McCown (7) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks to pass under pressure from New Orleans Saints' John Jenkins (92) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New Orleans Saints' Benjamin Watson (82) catches a pass as Carolina Panthers' Charles Tillman (31) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New Orleans Saints' Mark Ingram (22) runs past Carolina Panthers' Josh Norman (24) for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New Orleans Saints' Luke McCown (7) celebrates a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) catches a pass as New Orleans Saints' Kenny Vaccaro (32) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) celebrates a first down in front of New Orleans Saints' Damian Swann (27) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New Orleans Saints' Kenny Vaccaro (32) tackles Carolina Panthers' Mike Tolbert (35) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) runs against the New Orleans Saints in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Ted Ginn (19) catches a pass in front of New Orleans Saints' Brandon Browner (39) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) catches a touchdown pass as New Orleans Saints' Stephone Anthony (50) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly shouts to teammates from the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Mike Tolbert (35) runs as New Orleans Saints' David Hawthorne (57) defends in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New Orleans Saints' Marcus Murphy (23) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New Orleans Saints' Luke McCown (7) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Josh Norman (24) after a fumbled extra point attempt in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks to pass under pressure from New Orleans Saints' John Jenkins (92) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Ted Ginn (19) runs through the arms of New Orleans Saints' Brandon Browner (39) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) runs past New Orleans Saints' Damian Swann (27) for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Roman Harper (41) is tackled by New Orleans Saints' Willie Snead (83) after a fumble recovery in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) celebrates as he crosses the goal line for a touchdown past New Orleans Saints' Stephone Anthony (50) duiring the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New Orleans Saints' Khiry Robinson (29) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
New Orleans Saints' Marques Colston (12) drops a pass as he is hit by Carolina Panthers' Bene' Benwikere (25) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Josh Norman, right, intercepts a pass in front of New Orleans Saints' Brandin Cooks during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. The Panthers won 27-22. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Josh Norman, left, intercepts a pass in front of New Orleans Saints' Brandin Cooks, right, in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
New Orleans Saints' Luke McCown (7) throws a pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers' Kony Ealy (94) during the closing moments of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. The Panthers won 27-22. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
