Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton penned a perfect beginning to the latest chapter of his NFL career.
That story was set in Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, as the 14th-year veteran led the previously-winless Panthers to a stunning upset victory over the host Las Vegas Raiders. Week 3 marked the first start of the season for Dalton, who officially replaced struggling second-year passer Bryce Young on Monday.
The 36-year-old talked about the 36-22 win with reporters.
“It felt great,” he said with a smile. “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.”
The “Red Rifle” fired right away, carrying Carolina to a nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive to open the contest. That possession, which wound up in the end zone off a 6-yard catch from running back Chuba Hubbard, marked the Panthers’ first opening-drive touchdown in 21 games.
Dalton finished the game having completed 16 of his 37 throws for 319 yards and three touchdowns. He became the first quarterback in the NFL this season to pass for both 300 yards and three scores.
