Carolina Panthers strike first with Derek Anderson touchdown (Video)
Derek Anderson was given the start for the Carolina Panthers Sunday to replace starting quarterback Cam Newton, who suffered a rib injury in last month’s preseason game against the Patriots. Anderson and the Panthers were the first to strike against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Anderson hooked up with Greg Olsen for a five yard touchdown to give Carolina a 7-0 lead.
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Anderson has been a backup in Carolina since 2011 and was the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals in 2010 and the Cleveland Browns in 2007 and 2008. With Arizona in 2010, Anderson played 12 games and finished with 2,065 passing yards and seven touchdowns. Anderson played a full season with Cleveland in 2007 and in 16 games had 3,787 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. The Browns finished 10-6 but didn’t make the playoffs.
Cam Newton has played three seasons with Carolina since he was picked first overall in 2011. Carolina had 3,379 passing yards and 24 passing touchdowns last season as well as six rushing touchdowns. The Panthers made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2008 last season with Newton at the helm after a 12-4 season. They lost to the 49ers in the divisional playoffs.
Anderson and the Panthers scored the first touchdown of the game with 7:59 left in the second quarter after a 15-play, 69 yard drive to the end zone.