LAS VEGAS – Andy Dalton led the Carolina Panthers to a touchdown on Sunday in their opening drive against the Raiders, ending the NFL’s longest active streak of 20 consecutive games without a touchdown on the first series.

Dalton threw the ball to running back Chuba Hubbard near the 10-yard line, and the running back scored a 6-yard touchdown – giving the Panthers their first lead ever since Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Chubetta believes that was a touchdown pic.twitter.com/H0sSsQKwjr

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) 22 September 2024

The last time the Panthers scored a touchdown on their opening drive was in Week 17 of 2022 at Tampa Bay, who now have a streak of 20 in a row after failing to score on their first drive on Sunday.

The Panthers had not had a lead for seven games in a row, the third-longest streak of any team in the last 20 seasons.

Dalton, who was named the starter on Monday after Bryce Young was benched, completed 5 of 6 passes for 52 yards and the touchdown in his first start since Week 3 of last season when Young was injured.