On the second drive, Siemian took a 9-yard sack and then had a screen pass tipped by defensive tackle Star Lotulelei and intercepted by linebacker Thomas Davis.
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After Gano’s 36-yard field goal brought the Panthers to 21-20, Carolina forced a three-and-out and got the ball back at its 40 with 3:06 remaining. Not to mention, the Panthers will likely take an early lead reducing the amount of passing plays Cam Newton will have.
Siemian threw to Sanders for a 15-yard gain. After a Siemian scramble picked up 8 yards, the Broncos were facing third-and-1 at the 28. The second-year pro missed his rookie season because of a knee injury he sustained in minicamp. The Panthers as a team, and especially the offensive line, are motivated to exact revenge on the Broncos who will have to get used to life without two of their best defenders. The Oakland Raiders have not enjoyed a winning season since their pride and poise got flushed by Tampa Bay during the championship game in January 2003. The biggest difference is that future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, who retired in the offseason, will not be taking the field. Siemian beat out both Mark Sanchez (now on the Cowboys) and Paxton Lynch (Denver’s backup) to replace the now-retired Peyton Manning, one of the best quarterbacks in National Football League history.
Just two years have separated the 23-year-old from #M00N to starting the NFL’s season opener in a Super Bowl rematch.
Cornerback Josh Norman and strong safety Roman Harper left in free agency to sign with the Redskins and Saints, respectively, and cornerback Charles Tillman “punched out” after his 13th season in the NFL. Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly and company will look to go one better than runners-up this season, and their chase starts with a game against the team that stopped them back in February.
The events of the night even had some wondering about the results of the Super Bowl last season.
Working in Newton’s favor tonight is that No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin returns from an ACL tear. Benjamin caught 73 passes for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie in 2014.
The game kicks off tonight at 7:40 central time from Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
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