Panthers vs. Broncos: Score and Twitter Reaction for Thursday Night Football

Seven months after the Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50 in decisive fashion, the Carolina Panthers failed to exact revenge. Graham Gano missed a 50-yard field-goal attempt with nine seconds remaining that would have won Thursday night’s contest at Sports Authority Field, and the Broncos escaped with a 21-20 victory. 

The Broncos moved to 1-0 after Cam Newton and the Panthers—who have now lost as many games as they did all of last season—crept into Denver territory late and made the defending champions sweat things out. 

Broncos remain Cam’s kryptonite pic.twitter.com/JoFnO0Uiqr

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 9, 2016

According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Broncos have won five straight season openers. They’re also 29-4 at home since 2012—tied with the New England Patriots for the best mark during that span. 

While the altitude figured to help Gano with the game on the line, he hasn’t thrived from distance of late. Specifically, Gano has missed four of his last seven from at least 50 yards out, per ESPN Stats & Info. 

Wide Left. #Kickoff2016 https://t.co/Qp7D9mzRc0

— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2016

While the Broncos offense wasn’t high-powered, it had enough balance to get past a stout Panthers defense. 

Broncos running back C.J. Anderson shouldered a significant load and finished with 20 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown to go with four catches, 47 receiving yards and a score. 

Smile, C.J. Anderson fantasy owners #FutureIsBright pic.twitter.com/LK9Mov05AA

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 9, 2016

And considering Denver quarterback Trevor Siemian hadn’t thrown a pass in regular-season action entering the night, he appeared relatively poised in the pocket as he finished with 178 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions on 18-of-26 passing. 

The former Northwestern Wildcats signal-caller led the Broncos deep into Panthers territory on the team’s first two possessions, but both ended with turnovers. Rookie running back Devontae Booker squandered a strong opening drive with a fumble on the first carry of his career, and Siemian botched a bubble screen the next time down that linebacker Thomas Davis tipped and picked off. 

Despite those hiccups, the Broncos ate up chunks of yards against a Panthers defense that started two rookie cornerbacks in James Bradberry and Daryl Worley. 

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