Andy Dalton’s three touchdowns give the Panthers a 21-7 lead over the Raiders at halftime

With Andy Dalton as quarterback, the Panthers look like a completely different team and lead the Raiders 21-7 at halftime.

Given the veteran quarterback’s performance in the first half, it’s not hard to understand why head coach Dave Canales benched Bryce Young for Dalton. Dalton started the game with a touchdown drive, throwing a 17-yard pass to Diontae Johnson and a 20-yard toss to Tommy Tremble to put Carolina deep in Las Vegas territory. Then Dalton finished the possession with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Chuba Hubbard for an early 7-0 lead.

While the Raiders tied the game at 7-7 with a 97-yard drive, Dalton ran a 10-play, 75-yard drive to give the Panthers a 14-7 lead. He converted third-and-14 with a 23-yard pass to Diontae Johnson to maintain possession. Then, on third-and-goal, Dalton threw a pass to Johnson for a 5-yard touchdown.

Dalton caught his third touchdown pass with a 31-yard dime to receiver Adam Thielen. But Thielen appeared to have sustained a hamstring injury during the catch.

Dalton finished the first half completing 15 of 22 passes for 212 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Johnson had four catches for 80 yards with a TD. Hubbard had 50 yards on 10 carries.

On the other hand, Las Vegas couldn’t do much after a touchdown. The club had one turnover on downs and two punts. And while kicker Daniel Carlson had a chance to make the game 21-7 at halftime, his 57-yard field goal attempt went wide to the left.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew completed 8 of 14 passes for 117 yards.

Rookie tight end Brock Bowers left the field late in the first half to be evaluated for a concussion.

The second half kicks off for the Raiders.