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Vulnerable Panthers lose season-opener to Broncos

The Carolina Panthers may be last year’s conference champions, but yesterday’s performance against the Super Bowl-winning Denver Broncos may give those who think they’re shoe-ins to win the NFC South some pause.

Losing to the Super Bowl champions isn’t a great shame in most seasons, but this year may be different. The Broncos lost a few key defensive players, though they still have an impressive pass rush. More importantly, they’re starting 2015 seventh-round pick Trevor Siemian at quarterback, a move that would ordinarily be a recipe for disaster.

And to an extent, it was. Siemian lacks arm strength, and mostly threw short and underneath passes.