This Panthers-Broncos game was not expected to be an exciting match up and the teams did no initially disappoint. They opened by trading four straight punts. The Panthers, facing their third fourth down, faked a punt to earn the first down. A deep strike to DJ Moore and a 15-yard run by D'Onta Foreman saw Carolina in the red zone in the final minutes of the first quarter. It was the start of an ultimately satisfying offensive performance.
That drive resulted in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to Moore to close out the quarter.
Brian Burns sacked Russell Wilson to all but kill their opening possession of the second quarter.