The Carolina Panthers are in a must-win situation for their Week 17 matchup against the Tampa Buccaneers. And it appears as though the offense got the memo.
On the very first touch of the game, the visiting Panthers took less than four minutes to trek downfield for a clean six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Quarterback Sam Darnold led the poised attack, completing all four of his passing attempts for 60 yards and the score.
Those six points ended up in the hands of tight end Tommy Tremble, who reeled in a smooth 17-yard strike. It was Tremble’s third touchdown of the 2022 campaign.
Getting things started early 🎉 pic.twitter.com/6DH7B5UMQh
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 1, 2023
Darnold also connected with wideouts DJ Moore, Shi Smith and Laviska Shenault Jr. for gains of 26 yards, 11 yards and six yards—respectively. Running back D’Onta Foreman added in nine rushing yards of his own off a pair of carries.
Since taking over the starting reins in Week 12, Darnold has posted the fifth-highest passer rating (104.3) in the NFL.
