"Throughout Ron Rivera's first season, the Panthers applied bandages to an ailing defense that lost starters the way kids lose Lego pieces. Sunday, at a loud and packed Superdome, one of the best offenses in NFL history ripped off those bandages and administered one of the worst defensive beatings in Carolina's 17-year history. New Orleans rang up a franchise-record 617 yards and rattled off 28 unanswered points to roll into the playoffs following a 45-17 victory against Carolina. Forced to use a patchwork defense again, the Panthers (6-10) surrendered the most yards and first downs (33) in their history. For the season, Carolina allowed franchise highs in points (429), touchdowns (50), yards (6,042) and passing yards (3,949). The Panthers played without Charles Johnson, their $76 million defensive end, and five other injured defensive starters. "