In a stunning turn of events, the Carolina Panthers clinched their first victory of the season after making the bold decision to bench Bryce Young and start veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. The move paid off handsomely as Dalton led the Panthers to a resounding 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. The offense looked revitalized with Dalton at the helm, scoring more points in the first half of Sunday’s game than they had in the entire first two weeks of the season.
After the game, head coach Dave Canales appeared a bit subdued despite the team’s triumph. He addressed his postgame demeanor in his comments to the press, saying, “I’m smiling inside. I’m absolutely beat, this has been an amazing week. But again, just a really heavy week, just with all the factors.” Canales acknowledged the challenges the team faced but remained optimistic about the future, stating, “Just getting back to work and continue to push to establish our culture and our process. I’m thrilled. I am so joyful,” he added with a laugh and a smile.
The decision to bench Young in favor of Dalton was a significant one for Canales, marking his first major move as head coach. The outcome on Sunday seemed to validate his choice and may have set the tone for the rest of the season. As the Panthers look to build on this momentum, it will be interesting to see how Canales continues to lead the team to success both on and off the field.
