NEW ORLEANS — It took Derek Carr and the Saints' new offense one series to produce a touchdown on an explosive play — and one half to score 30 points.
New Orleans' defense didn't look too bad, either.
Carr passed for three touchdowns and the New Orleans Saints scored on their first nine possessions in a 47-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
''That was a fun way to start the season,'' said Carr, who got booed in the Superdome at times last season, but heard only rousing applause this time. "They liked us a lot today. That was nice.''
Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams each ran for touchdowns and Blake Grupe kicked four field goals — two from beyond 50 yards — in an extraordinary debut for new Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. His first game calling plays resulted in the most points the Saints have ever scored in a season opener.
''That's what we made some changes for,'' Kamara said. ''I've been here a while and I know what it's supposed to feel like — and it felt good today.''
The Panthers, who went 2-15 last season, made front office, coaching and key roster changes in hopes of improving this season. But this season opener could not have gone much worse for new coach Dave Canales and second-year quarterback Bryce Young.
''The nature of the loss matters, but whether it was by three points or as much as it was today, you have to just count them as a loss and then move forward to the next challenge,'' Canales said. "In weeks from now, it's not going to matter what the score was.''