CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen patrolled the sidelines, watching closely as the Carolina Panthers crept closer and closer to the end zone.

His defense desperately needed a stop. And yet, as in the previous six weeks, the Saints committed a comedy of errors. A 26-yard third-down conversion here, a 22-yard pass interference there. Then, in a play that changed the outcome of Sunday's game, Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard ran free for a 12-yard touchdown – barely touched on the way to the end zone.

The end result? A 23-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

For the seventh game in a row, the Saints were unable to win. However, since Allen lost to the team that had the league's worst record entering the afternoon, he will have to wait and see if he can keep his job for another week.

Make no mistake, the Saints' loss on Sunday was dismal. Chris Olave was injured. Quarterback Derek Carr, returning from an oblique injury, looked rusty. And the Saints kept making mistakes in all three phases – offense, defense and special teams.

Where do the Saints go from here?

That remains to be seen. But the Saints, 2-7, have lost seven games in a row for the first time since 1999.

The Saints' excitement over Carr's return was dampened by a scary moment in the first quarter. With 7:07 left, Panthers safety Xavier Woods smashed Olave with a hit that sent the wide receiver flying across the middle of the field. Flags immediately flew and Olave, who had suffered a concussion three weeks earlier, lay motionless on the ground as trainers rushed to tend to him.

While Olave received medical attention, there was widespread silence in the stadium. Allen and Panthers coach Dave Canales were among the crowd that gathered around the receiver.

A few minutes later, Olave was loaded onto a backboard and carried off the field on a cart. Just before he left, the wide receiver was able to move his hands and swab teammates who had walked over to him.

But the Saints soon confirmed the obvious: Olave was sidelined with a concussion, his fourth in his three-year NFL career.

Olave, who the team said had movement in all extremities, was then transported to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center for further evaluation.

When action resumed, the Saints were able to move the ball – but were still struggling in key areas. Carr, trying to shake off the rust, missed his target with throws that caused the offense to stall in the red zone. Like the Saints' first drive, New Orleans had to settle for another short field goal from Blake Grupe to take a 6-0 lead.

Then other errors came into play.

The Saints gave the Panthers great field position when Matthew Hayball only scored a 30-yard punt. Carolina took over the New Orleans 40-yard line and found gaps in the Saints' defense. Bryce Young dunked and dunked down the field, and the Saints' depleted secondary couldn't be stopped. Carolina finally took the lead after Young hit rookie receiver Xavier Legette for a 3-yard touchdown with 9:59 left in the second quarter.

The Saints responded with Taysom Hill driving into the end zone for a 7-yard score, but more breakdowns would help Carolina stay in the game. Another poor special teams play put the Panthers in the scoring zone again after the Saints allowed a 14-yard punt return and called a 15-yard penalty to eat up most of Hayball's 46-yard punt.

But there the Saints at least managed to get a stop and limit the damage. Defensive end Carl Granderson recorded his first sack since Sept. 22, and the Panthers settled for a 48-yarder to make it 13-10 for the Saints.

However, Granderson's sacking was one of the rare instances Sunday where the Saints put pressure on the Panthers. Unlike the first meeting, where New Orleans had fourth sacks, Young had plenty of time to throw. And he managed to create a second-place finish for the Saints without Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring) and Paulson Adebo (leg).

In the second half, the Panthers retook the lead thanks to a series of explosive plays. Young found rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders for 46 and 21 yards, putting the Panthers in the red zone. Once there, Young brought the Panthers to the goal line with a 9-yard scramble, paving the way for Hubbard to inbound the ball.

Still, the Saints had a chance to win it. After a 51-yarder from Grupe cut the deficit to one point, the Saints put together their best offensive sequence of the afternoon. Most notably, Carr threw a tight throw to tight end Foster Moreau, who completed the pass over a defender for a 17-yard touchdown.

The score gave the Saints a 22-17 lead and the defense managed to gain several stands. Shemar Jean-Charles somehow managed to deflect a catch from Legette and record an interception early in his career.

But the Saints couldn't hold on. And will the Saints now hold on to Allen?