It wasn't long before Carolina took control of Sunday's game.
During their game-opening 15-play drive that spanned 86 yards, the Carolina Panthers converted their fourth third-down and scoring on a three-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin.
Carolina wiped out 9:15 off the clock and Cam Newton completed seven of eight passes for 63 yards passing and a touchdown.
Key to the possession was a questionable roughing the passer on Vontaze Burfict on third and 13 with 7:52 remaining in the first. What should have been a field goal attempt after a minimal eight-yard pass, Carolina was given an automatic first down instead. Even if there was no roughing call, Terence Newman was called for a defensive hold (which seemed questionable too).