Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - The Carolina Panthers trio of Cam Newton, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart ran through a plethora of gaping holes and handed the New Orleans Saints their first 0-2 start since 2007.

Newton, Williams and Stewart helped the Panthers total 219 yards rushing in Carolina's 35-27 win over the Saints.

Down by eight with 48 seconds left and no timeouts, the Saints got the ball at their own 20-yard line, but Jon Beason intercepted Drew Brees' pass over the middle with 23 seconds remaining to seal the win.

Newton carried the ball 13 times for 71 yards and a touchdown, Williams ran for 69 yards on 14 rushes and the returning Stewart, who missed the opener with a right ankle injury, added 51 yards on the ground.

Newton also threw for 253 yards with a touchdown on 14-of-20 efficiency, while Steve Smith caught three balls for 104 yards -- his 40th career 100-plus yard receiving game -- for Carolina (1-1), which fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in its opener.

Brees was 31-of-49 for 325 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for New Orleans (0-2), which began the 2007 campaign 0-4 before finishing 7-9.

Darren Sproles had 13 receptions for 128 yards, while Jimmy Graham totaled 71 yards receiving with a touchdown on seven catches in defeat.

09/16 16:35:08 ET