The Panthers had not scored a first quarter touchdown all season. They have now.
Sam Darnold, starting for the first time since Jan. 9 of last season, threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Moore with 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter. It completed an 11-play, 71-yard drive.
Moore’s touchdown was his first since Week 8 against the Falcons when he scored on the Hail Mary.
It gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead.
The Broncos had only 26 yards and one first down in the first quarter.
They got a break when Raheem Blackshear muffed a punt early in the second quarter and Delarrin Turner-Yell recovered for the Broncos at the Carolina 27. The Broncos got as close as the Carolina 6 but settled for a 27-yard Brandon McManus field goal.
It’s 7-3 Panthers with 10:11 left in the half.