Broncos at Panthers second quarter recap

The Carolina Panthers saw their offensive momentum negated on the first play of the second quarter when DeMarcus Walker and Bradley Chubb converged to sack Teddy Bridgewater for a big loss.

On third and 15, Bridgewater tried to run it and was tackled well short to force the punt.

From their own 10 yard line, the Broncos didn’t do much. However, after a deep shot to Tim Patrick that was well short the Panthers were called for defensive holding to give the Broncos an automatic first down.

That kicked off the drive as Lock got into a rhythm. Hitting on passes to DeaSean Hamilton and Nick Vannett. Then a run by Phillip Lindsay with Netane Muti leading the way gained five for the first down.

Drew Lock is taking the checkdown passes in this game and it has worked in the first half. The pick ups on first down have setup second down and reasonable.

Netane Muti continued to pull for Lindsay and the gains have been excellent. A nine-yard run for a first down got the Broncos into field goal range.

Things went awry from there as Drew Lock was strip/sacked and Jerry Jeudy made a touchdown-saving tackle after a fumble return down to the Broncos five yard line. The turnover blew things wide open in the first half.

The Panthers would convert the turnover into a touchdown and took their first lead of the game.

Panthers 7, Broncos 6.

Drew Lock came out with a short three yard pass to Vannett on first down, then a Lindsay run setup a third and three. Lock, under pressure, stepped up and fired in a pass to Troy Fumagalli for a four yard gain and a first down.

Lock had completed seven straight passes, but on his next attempt on a screen pass to Jerry Jeudy was one of the ugliest throws since Tim Tebow. It was about a 7 yard pass that bounced in the first two yards in front of Jeudy.

On third and long, Lock was hit late and the Panthers were flagged for a roughing the passer penalty. Drew Lock then threw it up where Jerry Jeudy snagged the pass for a 31-yard gain into field goal range.

At the two minute warning, the Broncos were at the Carolina 12 yard line facing a second and six. After an incompletion, the Broncos handed off to Gordon on third and six and powered his way to a nine yard gain to setup a first and goal at the three.

The Panthers looked poised to make a goal line stand, but a taunting penalty gave the Broncos an easy first and goal from the two. Lock would hit Vannett on the next play to retake the lead for the Broncos.

Broncos 13, Panthers 7.

Drew Lock finished the half 12/16 for 85 yards and a touchdown and a fumble.

The Panthers quickly got the ball out past midfield with just under a minute to go in the half. Will Parks then got into the mix with a sack on Bridgewater for a huge loss of 16-yards to end whatever chances Carolina had at scoring before halftime.