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Panthers crushed by Broncos in Bryce Young's return to starting role

Carolina scored on its first and last drives of the game.

DENVER — Quarterback Bo Nix scored four touchdowns as the Denver Broncos cruised to a win over the Carolina Panthers 28-14. 

Nix had 284 yards passing and three touchdown passes in the win. He also scored a rushing touchdown. The Broncos (5-3) scored 21 points in the second quarter and ran away with the game by shutting down Carolina's offense. The Panthers' two scores came on their first and last drives of the game.

Bryce Young got the start at quarterback for the Panthers (1-7) after Andy Dalton sprained his thumb in a car crash

Young was benched in favor of Dalton after an ineffective start to the season and a lackluster rookie year followed his No. 1 selection in the 2023 draft.

Compared to his first 18 starts, Young had a relatively decent day before things unraveled for Carolina. Young completed eight of his first nine passes and threw a touchdown. He ended the day 24 of 37 for 224 yards passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

RELATED: Panthers linebacker DJ Johnson ruled out against Broncos with ankle injury

The Panthers actually led in this game at one point. Panthers defensive tackle Shy Tuttle forced Broncos receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey to fumble on Denver's first drive. Carolina recovered and started the drive in Denver territory.

Young ended the drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Xavier Legette. It was Young's first touchdown pass of the season.

Nix threw two touchdown passes and scored with his legs on a quarterback sneak in the second quarter to give the Broncos a 21-7 lead at halftime. Tight ends Nate Adkins and Adam Trautman were the recipients of the two touchdown passes.

The Broncos added another touchdown in the third quarter with a pass from Nix to runningback Jaleel McLaughlin. 

Young's two interceptions happened on Carolina's next three drives. The first was intercepted by Patrick Surtain on a fourth down inside the red zone. The second was an interception in the end zone by Ja'Quan McMillian that was intended for Jalen Coker. 

The Panthers came one yard away from allowing the most points in modern NFL history in a team's first eight games. Denver receiver Courtland Sutton fumbled at the 1-yard line while trying to score with two minutes left in the game. Tuttle recovered, giving Carolina one last drive beginning at the 2-yard line. The Panthers have allowed 271 points through their first eight games, tied for the third most in modern NFL history.

Young closed the game with a 98-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Coker.

"I'm proud of the guys for the way we finished," Panthers head coach Dave Canales said after the loss. He said big plays, third down proficiency, and other fundamental issues resulted in the loss to the Broncos.

Canales commended Young's performance on Sunday. He said the team will analyze Dalton's recovery and determine who the starter should be later in the week.

RELATED: 30 seasons: Panthers-Broncos matchup brings memories of Super Bowl run

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