Andy Dalton Shines with Veteran Experience in Panthers’ Win

In Las Vegas, Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton seemed calm and at ease as he took a moment to take a picture with his wife and friends during warmups at Allegiant Stadium. This relaxed attitude is what first-year coach Dave Canales hoped to see when he chose to start Dalton instead of rookie Bryce Young. Dalton stepped up big, throwing three touchdown passes in the first half, leading the Panthers to a 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Andy Dalton Biography

Name	Andy Dalton
Age	36 years
Net worth	$50 million
Country	American

Canales thought the team, feeling the pain of two big losses, needed a boost to get their offense going. Dalton felt he could be himself and stay calm during the game, completing 26 of 37 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns.

“We were all having a great time. I just wanted to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves because we’ve worked really hard for this, and now it’s time to relax and enjoy the results.”

The Panthers had a rough start, losing 47-10 to New Orleans in their first game and then 26-3 to the Los Angeles Chargers at home. This was especially tough after a disappointing season where they only won 2 out of 17 games.

It’s been tough for the Panthers’ offense with Young, the top pick in the 2023 draft, struggling badly. Benching a quarterback that team owner David Tepper once believed would win “Super Bowls” was a tough call for Canales. It made for a difficult week, but seeing the team come together for a solid win felt great, even if he wasn’t his usual cheerful self in his postgame press conference after getting his first win as an NFL head coach.

“I’m really happy inside,” Canales said. “I’m exhausted. It’s been an amazing but tough week. We’re working hard to build our culture and processes.”

Canales focuses on teamwork and avoids praising individual players too much. He didn’t single out Dalton for helping the team turn things around, even after two weeks of criticism calling Carolina the worst team.

Dalton set the tone for the game. He helped Carolina score a touchdown on their first drive, ending a 20-game streak where they couldn’t do that.

In the first half, he threw three touchdowns. That’s the most by a Carolina quarterback since Cam Newton did it in 2015 during his MVP season.

This was also the first time since Week 16 of 2022 that Carolina led by more than seven points in the first half. They had gone seven games without any lead, one of the longest droughts in 20 years.

Things had been tough, but Dalton made a big difference. He’s known as the “Red Rifle” because of his bright red hair.

Wide receiver Diontae Johnson praised Andy Dalton‘s experience. He said Dalton helped the team stay focused and execute plays.

Johnson, who joined from the Steelers, had a standout game with 122 yards and a touchdown on eight catches. He only had five catches for 34 yards in the first two games with rookie quarterback Bryce Young.

This was the first time since Week 8 of 2022 that Carolina had a quarterback with over 300 passing yards, a running back with over 100 rushing yards, and a receiver with over 100 receiving yards in the same game.

Canales talked about “Panthers football.” He said the team is still finding its identity. He wants to show players how their roles connect.

For Dalton, the game proved he can still win as he nears the end of his career. For Young, it showed why he was benched. Like many rookies, he needs time to grow.

While Dalton and the team celebrated, Young watched quietly from the sidelines. After the game, he hugged Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew.

Dalton mentioned it was a tough week for everyone. He and Young have talked about it privately.

The tough week turned into a happy Sunday. The team had a fourth-quarter lead for the first time in 20 games.

Dalton was all smiles and tried to make Canales smile, too.

Wide receiver Adam Thielen, despite a hamstring injury from a big touchdown catch, was also smiling. Dalton played a big role in the game and will face the Bengals, the team that drafted him in 2011, next week.

“Andy did a great job communicating and leading us,” Thielen said. “He told us we needed to start fast, and he helped us do that on the first drive.” Thielen will have an MRI on Monday.

Conclusion

In summary, Andy Dalton’s experience and leadership were key to the Panthers’ victory. He set a strong tone from the start, helping his team build momentum. Despite challenges like Thielen’s injury, Dalton’s performance showed that his skills and calm presence make a big difference on the field. Looking ahead, he’s ready to face his former team, the Bengals, with confidence.

FAQS