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LAS VEGAS, NV (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — There were a lot of firsts for the Panthers as they took on the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday afternoon.
The Panthers came into Sunday’s match on a major losing streak and looking for redemption. Veteran Andy Dalton was at the helm after the decision to bench Quarterback Bryce Young.
Raiders kicked off the game with a 65-yard kick from the 35-yard line which landed in the hands of Xavier Legette, gaining 30 yards off the bat. In an unusual sight for the Panthers in their opening drive, Dalton passes to Chuba Hubbard for a 6-yard touchdown with an extra point from Eddy Pineiro. In their first drive, a total of 9 plays and 70 yards as opposed to their 15 yards in four drives from last week.
The Raiders secured a touchdown with a 2-yard run from Alexander Mattison, occupied by a successful kick from Daniel Carlson. The first quarter ends with the Panthers tied, 7-7.
Nine plays deep into the drive, the Panthers make their second touchdown with a successful pass to Diontae Johnson at the 5-yard line, earning an extra point from Pineiro. At 6:12, Dalton was sacked by Raider’s Christian Wilkins at the 38-yard line for a loss of 7 yards.
Faith in the Panthers might have been restored as the Panthers make their fourth touchdown with 0:28 left in the 2nd quarter. Adam Thielen makes a 31-yard touchdown but injures his hamstring in the process. Raiders work to put some points on the board but fall short as Carlson misses a much-needed 57-yard field goal. Adding insult to injury, Pineiro creates a 20-point lead for the Panthers with a 35-yard field goal. At halftime, with the Panthers in a shocking lead, 27-7.
In the final quarter, the Panthers show their energy and drive. Panthers’ Miles Sanders ran the ball for a 1-yard gain. Panthers attempt a two-point conversion as Dalton passes to Xavier Legette but it was incomplete. Despite some defense from the Panthers, Raider’s Jakobi Meyers earned a much-needed touchdown with a successful two-point conversion, bringing the Raiders up to 15.
Panthers continue to add to the board with only minutes left in the game. Pineiro kicks another 65-yard field goal. With one minute left on the clock, the Panthers try to prevent the Raiders from scoring, but one of the passes makes it through to Tre Tucker who shoots the Raiders to 22 points.
Despite their efforts, the Panthers ran out the clock and sealed the deal. As fans screamed from the stands, the Panthers secured their first season win, 36-22 final.
