Given the state of Western N.C., there’s a really strong crowd in Charlotte for Panthers-Bengals. There’s a decent Cincinnati contingent here too.

Going gun from the goal line will never make sense to me. Never. #KeepPounding

Jaycee Horn ripped the ball out, but after the play was blown dead. The Bengals convert their first third down — pinned deep into their own end.

Worth noting: This is Tee Higgins’ first NFL game in Charlotte. The last time he played here, he had nine catches for 182 yards and three touchdowns in Clemson’s ACC championship win over Virginia in 2019.

Vonn Bell revenge game.

A big problem last year was the lack of pre-snap motion or creativity on offense. Just on this drive, we’ve seen a jet sweep to Xavier Legette and using motion to scheme up a wide-open catch for Jonathan Mingo.

Vikings 😳

Have a half, Xavier Legette.

Bump. Plus a horse-riding celly.

The Panthers’ offense has run 40 (!) plays in the first half. Andy Dalton has completed 16 of 21 passes for 134 yards and Carolina has 19 carries for 84 yards (4.4 yards per rush). #KeepPounding

Halftime: Bengals 21, Panthers 14 Cincinnati averaged 7 yards per play in the first half.

Diontae Johnson is down.

That was a dime by Hekker. But the pass off the fake punt is dropped.

Xavier Woods catches a HUGE break there. Very well could’ve been unnecessary roughness.