Carolina Panthers

Panthers at Broncos Recap, Highlights, Final Score, More

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football after Graham Gano missed the potential game-winner

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Super Bowl 50 wasn’t all that exciting, looking back. Quite frankly, the Denver Broncos hit the Carolina Panthers in the mouth and there was nothing the latter could do to stop the bleeding. However, the Thursday Night Football rematch to kick off the 2016 NFL season was a much different story.

In the first half of the contest, Cam Newton and Kelvin Benjamin were absolutely clicking in the passing game. Throw in the contributions of Jonathan Stewart and Carolina was able to jump ahead by by 10 points. They went into halftime up 17-7. Even with that lead, though, the Panthers seemed to still be struggling at times. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware were still rolling and it felt inevitable that they could take over.

That time came in the second half. Panthers linemen simply couldn’t find an answer for stopping the stars. Both Miller and Ware were living in the backfield all night. Subsequently, the game changed big time in favor of Denver. Then C.J. Anderson finally started rolling with consequence and the Broncos took the 21-17 lead.

When Graham Gano brough Carolina with in one point at the four-minute mark, though, it looked as if the Panthers might steal one. They made it look more that way when they got the ball back with time. Even more so was that the case as they started driving. In the end, that led to Gano having an attempt to win it. He was iced, though, and that worked this time around. The potential game-winning kick sailed left, giving the Broncos the win.

Three Stars

Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, Broncos – There aren’t even words for what the Broncos edge rushers did to Michael Oher and Mike Remmers of Carolina. It was brutal, almost as much so as in Super Bowl 50.

Luke Kuechly, Panthers – Unsurprisingly, Kuechly was a monster in the middle of the field. Had it not been for him and his 10 tackles (among other plays), the Panthers may not have had a chance at the final field goal.

C.J. Anderson, Broncos – Helping to take the onus off of Trevor Siemian, C.J. Anderson was huge for Denver. He finished with 92 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, but it even felt like more than that.

Highlights

Next Game

The Broncos will hope to keep rolling with the wins as they take on the Colts next Sunday in the 4:25 p.m. ET slot. Carolina hopes to rebound at home, welcoming the 49ers to town.

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