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Andy Dalton Sparks Carolina Panthers, Can New QB1 Save NFL Season?

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than three decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published4 hours ago on September 23, 2024

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Andy Dalton celebrates win over raiders (1)

Welcome to the starting lineup, Andy Dalton. 

The Carolina Panthers’ new QB1 became the first NFL signal caller to post a 300-yard, three-touchdown performance this season, leading the charge during Sunday’s 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. 

After an ineffective 0-2 start under the direction of Bryce Young, Panthers rookie coach Dave Canales on Sept. 16 announced the benching of the 2023 first-overall draft pick in favor of the 14-year veteran. 

Sunday’s offensive contrast proved striking. Over the opening two losses, the Panthers produced 13 points and 352 combined yards, converting on two of 22 third-down situations. On Sunday, Dalton directed the unit to 437 total yards and went 5 for 12 on third down. 

During the Panthers’ home opener Sept. 15, Young was booed for consistently throwing behind the sticks. Dalton, on Sunday, ran off the field to visiting Panthers’ fans chanting his name in victory. 

Andy Dalton Stakes Claim To Starting Job 

During his post-game press conference, Dalton elected to not focus on his accomplishment of sparking a long-dormant offense. Instead, he turned his attention to Young. 

“It was a heavy week, and hard on a lot of people,” Dalton said on social media. 

Did Dalton help save the Panthers’ season? 

Let’s review that question in December. What Dalton did, though, was provide entertainment value to a franchise that fielded last season’s least productive offense, averaging 265.3 yards per outing. Dalton completed 26 of 37 passes for 319 yards and three TD passes Sunday.

“The way this game went today is exactly how you want it to go,” Dalton said, as reported by The Associated Press. “They’re not all going to go this way, but for us to come out and do what we did, it shows the potential of what we can be.” 

It showed early as Dalton directed the Panthers’ game-opening, nine-play, 70-yard scoring drive, capped by Dalton’s 6-yard screen pass to running back Chuba Hubbard. The Panthers scored on their opening possession for the first time in 21 games. 

Dalton nearly matched Young’s two-game passing yardage in the first half against the Raiders, amassing 212 yards. He made throws Young didn’t seem to attempt. On third-and-14 from their own 32-yard line, Dalton hit Diontae Johnson down the middle of the field for a 23-yard reception. It led to the Panthers’ second touchdown on their opening three drives. Young sat after recording a career-low in passing yards per attempt (3.2) during his last start. 

Coach Dave Canales Earns 1st Win 

Canales, who earned his first career win, deflected questions about Dalton’s performance. After being outscored by 60 points in his first two games as coach, Canales pointed to Johnson’s career-best effort, hauling in eight receptions for 122 yards and a TD and Hubbard compiling 114 yards on 21 rushing attempts.   

The defense, which entered Sunday ranked No. 31 in rushing yards allowed (199.5), yielded 55 on the ground. The Panthers also collected three sacks. 

“I felt like the whole group in general showed up ready,” Canales said. 

A former 3-time Pro Bowler, Dalton wasn’t sure if he would get another chance to be an NFL starter. His opportunity arrived Monday.

“It felt great,” Dalton said. “For me to get the opportunity to be out there and for it to go the way it did, couldn’t have drawn it up any better. I thought our guys came out with the right attitude, the right mentality from the start, and we never slowed down. And that was the fun part about it.  

“We didn’t just put one drive together; we were able to do it the whole game.” 

After suffering through a 2-15 season and looking uncompetitive in the opening two weeks, Dalton provided the Panthers with an offensive spark. 

Did Dalton help save the Panthers’ season?  

Let’s review that question in December.