CHARLOTTE — Nearly an hour after the game ended, there was still a bright red streak visible from Chuba Hubbard's busted lip.

But after all the sweat he's put into this thing, a little blood seemed a small sacrifice.

The Panthers running back scored two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 2:18 left in the game, in the 23-22

"Got it from the touchdown," Hubbard said with a grin. "The first one, not the second one."

Being able to name them, and have touchdowns (plural) was key for the Panthers. It was his first multiple-touchdown game of the year and just the second of his career (the other coming in Week 13 last year against Tampa Bay), but it continued a trend of his ability to lead this team.

"I was excited for him, man," right guard Robert Hunt said, and that was evident by the way Hunt sprinted downfield to celebrate Hubbard. "He's a baller, he runs hard, he plays the game the right way. I'm really happy for him.

"I think he got really, really good days ahead of him. He puts in the work. You guys see what he does off the field. He's a pro's pro. So it was really good to see guys like that let it come to fruition."

Hubbard finished with 15 carries for 72 yards Sunday, and has 665 yards and five touchdowns in nine games this year. He was also able to close one out, as his second score was the first in his career in the final three minutes of a game.

It came with a makeshift offensive line, as replacement center Brady Christensen was playing left tackle for the injured Ikem Ekwonu, and Cade Mays was the third starting center of the season (after Austin Corbett and Christensen).

"I feel like everyone played great," Hubbard said. "I think we've said since Week 1 that, you know, it's a hard league and unfortunate injuries, but his next-man-up mentality, Cade played great.Brady is a man of many skills and can play damn near any position. So I always appreciate him, but the whole O-line as a whole just played great.

"The big thing we harped on was just being consistent and playing all four quarters and we did that."

Quarterback Bryce Young also noticed, pointing out that he "had all day back there" after being sacked just once. He's gotten used to taking snaps from Christensen, but having him shift out to left tackle appeared seamless.

"Him having so many different roles here, and just being that guy that never complains is always willing to grow and change, always being able to be successful where he's at. That's not, not easy to do in this league. I have all the faith in the world in him. So, I'm glad you brought it up that definitely doesn't go understated, just that ability to go inside, outside, it's huge the way he played. It's a reflection of him and how good of a player he is."