LAS VEGAS - Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton looked relaxed and comfortable as he paused from Sunday's pre-game warmups to pose for a picture with his wife and friends on the sideline at Allegiant Stadium.
It was that demeanor first-year coach Dave Canales was looking for earlier in the week when he benched Bryce Young in favor of the 36-year-old veteran, who delivered with three first-half touchdown passes in a 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
It was that demeanor Canales felt a team stinging from an 0-2 start by a combined 60 points needed to jumpstart an offense and team he felt was closer than the losses looked to finding an identity.