Panthers out to 7-0 lead on Cardinals

The Panthers were determined to get the ball into the end zone on their first possession of Sunday's home game against the Cardinals.

Head coach Dave Canales opted to go for it twice on fourth down in field goal range and running back Chuba Hubbard converted both tries to keep the drive alive. That made it fitting that Hubbard was the one to finally punch the ball in for a touchdown to cap a 15-play drive that ate up nearly eight minutes of the first quarter.

It's 7-0 Carolina with 4:55 to play in the first quarter.

Hubbard's score came a play after it looked like the Panthers might have to settle for a field goal. Bryce Young threw an incompletion under pressure, but Cardinals linebacker Xavier Thomas was flagged for roughing him. It was a borderline call, but it worked out for the Panthers.

The Cardinals did not pick up a first down on their opening possession and they'll need to find more offensive momentum to keep their playoff hopes alive.