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The Top 10 NFL season finale games of the past decade

By Erik Lambert

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 30: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints is almost grabbed by Charles Johnson #95 of the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 30: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints is almost grabbed by Charles Johnson #95 of the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 30, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS – DECEMBER 28: Members of the Carolina Panthers huddle during the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 28, 2008 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS – DECEMBER 28: Members of the Carolina Panthers huddle during the game against the New Orleans Saints on December 28, 2008 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

08. Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (2008)

Sequels are never better than the originals and that’s the case here. As fun as the first Panthers-Saints romp in the Superdome was four years later, their first barnburner in 2008 was a classic. Both teams went into it with plenty to play for. New Orleans still had a shot at a wild card playoff spot. Carolina was aiming to win the division, which wasn’t cemented yet with the Atlanta Falcons right on their heels having finished 11-5.

The two teams played with equal desperation. Carolina jumped out to a 23-3 lead and looked ready to run away with it. Then Drew Brees worked his magic and brought the Saints all the way back to take a 31-30 lead with three minutes left in the game. Unfortunately, as has been the case many times for them, the defense couldn’t get a stop. The Panthers got big plays from Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams to set up a 42-yard field goal to escape 33-31.

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