Panthers out to 7-0 lead on Cardinals

The Panthers were determined to get the ball into the end zone on their first possession of Sunday’s home game against the Cardinals.

Head coach Dave Canales elected to go after it twice on fourth down in field goal range and running back Chuba Hubbard converted both attempts to keep the drive alive. It made it fitting that Hubbard was the one who finally ran the ball in for a touchdown to cap a 15-play drive that ate up nearly eight minutes of the first quarter.

It’s 7-0 Carolina with 4:55 to play in the first quarter.

Hubbard’s score came one play after it looked like the Panthers might have to settle for a field goal. Bryce Young threw an incompletion under pressure, but Cardinals linebacker Xavier Thomas was flagged for roughing him. It was a borderline call, but the Panthers succeeded.

The Cardinals didn’t get a first down on their opening possession and will need to find more offensive momentum to keep their playoff hopes alive.