Earlier than Week 3, the Carolina Panthers had only one landing this season, however their first drive with out quarterback Bryce Younger resulted in a landing. Additionally they got here away with their first victory since Dec. 31, 2023 and their first away win because the finish of the 2022 season, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 36-22 at Allegiant Stadium.
The previous No. 1 total choose was benched after the struggles from his rookie 12 months continued into his sophomore season. Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton bought the beginning and made an impression instantly, changing into the primary quarterback this season to throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns.
It did not take Dalton lengthy to get issues began in the best path. On the sport’s first collection, he guided the offense 70 yards in 9 performs in a drive that ended with a 6-yard move to operating again Chuba Hubbard. The Raiders tied issues up within the first quarter with an Alexander Mattison 2-yard speeding landing, nevertheless it did not take Dalton a lot time to reply.
Dalton marched 75 yards down subject and located huge receiver Diontae Johnson for a 5-yard TD to take again the lead. Carolina prolonged their result in 14 factors and Dalton is getting everybody within the offense concerned, throwing his third landing of the day to the third completely different participant earlier than the half was over.
This time it was Adam Thielen scoring on a 31-yard move. The Panthers 21 factors this half are greater than the scores of their first two video games … mixed.
Dalton completed the sport going 26 of 37 with 319 yards, 74 extra yards than Younger’s first two video games mixed. He had extra yards within the first half quarter than Younger had in both recreation this 12 months. Younger went 31 of 56 with 245 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions within the first two weeks, together with a choose on his first drive of the season.
At this fee, the job is now Dalton’s to lose.
Earlier than Sunday, the one journey to the tip zone for the Panthers this 12 months was a 3-yard rush by Younger. Their solely different scores by means of two weeks had been two subject objectives.
Earlier than he was benched, Younger went 2-16 in 18 begins with 3,122 yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. In 14 years within the NFL, Dalton has a 83-78-2 report as a starter, with 38,511 yards, 246 touchdowns and 144.