1. QB Cam Newton
It always starts with No. 1, and Newton made sure the Panthers offense got off to a good start against the Titans. He needed just five plays to direct the first-team unit 93 yards for a touchdown, and before departing early in the second quarter, he orchestrated another nice march for a field goal.
Newton connected with six different receivers while going 8-for-12 for 162 yards and one touchdown. He was quick with his decisions and accurate with his throws, and the two times the Titans stopped him, they were on scrambles that just maybe Newton would have converted if this one had counted.
2. WR Ted Ginn, Jr.
Ginn made just one play before exiting, but that's the beauty of Ginn's game – he only needs one play to make one heck of an impact.
Ginn made the play of the day for the Panthers to cap the opening drive, snaring a pass from Newton 20 yards downfield, using his quickness to elude a tackler and then using his speed to zip away from three pursuers for a 61-yard touchdown. It's the kind of thing he made a habit of last season, when he found the end zone 10 times.
"I know my attribute is speed, and whenever I can showcase that I try to," Ginn said. "I made a guy miss, and the rest was history."
3. CB Bene Benwikere
Benwikere put the "big play" back into "Big Play Bene," coming up with two of them, in fact.
Benwikere started at nickel cornerback and put a finish to the Titans' promising opening drive. Tennessee picked up a blitz, but quarterback Marcus Mariota rushed a pass anyway. Benwikere was ready, lunging to pick it off well in front of the receiver as the Titans closed in on the red zone.
"I'm just trying to make plays on the field, trying to show the coaches that I can get back to full form from before the injury," said Benwikere, who missed the end of last season with a leg injury. "It felt good."
The Panthers also gave Benwikere a chance to come after the quarterback midway through the second quarter. He welcomed backup Matt Cassel, corralling him for an 8-yard loss on his first snap.
"He's doing a nice job," head coach Ron Rivera said. "As he continues to gain more and more confidence, hopefully we'll see him very active around the football."
4. CB James Bradberry
While Benwikere's plays were worthy of the highlight reel, Bradberry's contributions were more subtle but no less significant – especially in regards to the development of the rookie. On multiple occasions, he showed off his ability to provide support in run defense.
"Coach (Sean) McDermott expects all of his corners to be able to tackle and be physical. I'm trying to play my part and show that I can come up and tackle," Bradberry said. "It's an underrated skill because a lot of teams scheme to block everyone but the corner and make the corner tackle."
First and probably most impressively, Bradberry found himself one-on-one with running back DeMarco Murray on a run around the right side. Murray tried to stiff-arm Bradberry, but the 6-1, 210-pounder would have none of it, working Murray out of bounds after a 1-yard gain.
"DeMarco Murray has a mean stiff-arm, and he got a hold of my facemask," Bradberry said. "But luckily I have long arms and was able to pull him down."
Later, Bradberry took on Murray solo in the middle of the line, crashing in to stuff him at the line of scrimmage. Before halftime, Bradberry combined with linebacker A.J. Klein to stop rookie Derrick Henry in his tracks.
5. WR Kevin Norwood
Just when it looked like Norwood's day could be done, he did his best work.
"That's toughness," Rivera said of Norwood's bounce-back moment. "And that's what we're looking for."
Norwood had a shot to make a big play midway through the third quarter but instead took a big shot, getting sandwiched between defenders on a deep ball over the middle and receiving medical assistance before bouncing up.
Just four plays later (the Panthers opened their next drive in a first-and-goal situation thanks to a fumble recovery), Norwood was back on the field. On second-and-goal, he got inside position on a defender and hauled in an 8-yard touchdown strike from Derek Anderson to give Carolina a 19-10 lead.
"That's something that happens in football when you go over the middle, but I think I'm pretty tough," Norwood said. "You've got to make the plays when they come to you. I'm just trying to prove to these guys that I can be a part of this team.
"It feels great. It's a step forward for me."
Norwood finished with three receptions for 31 yards.
View game action photos from Carolina's 26-16 win over Tennessee.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) moves past Tennessee Titans defensive back Antwon Blake (47) the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Finn scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) moves past Tennessee Titans strong safety Da'Norris Searcy (21) the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. Finn scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) works against the Carolina Panthers the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene' Benwikere (25) runs an intercepted ball back against the Tennessee Titans the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Brian Orakpo (98) chases Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Mularkey watches play against the Carolina Panthers the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hits the turf after running out of the pocket against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker (43) moves past Tennessee Titans strong safety Da'Norris Searcy (21) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) makes the touchdown catch against Carolina Panthers free safety Kurt Coleman (20) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) celebrates his point after against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (20) retrieves the ball he fumbled under pressure from the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene' Benwikere (25) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Cassel (16) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Corey Brown (10) is tackled by Tennessee Titans defensive back Antwon Blake (47) and Tennessee Titans tight end Alex Ellis (49) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (34) runs against Tennessee Titans outside linebacker David Bass (51) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera watches play against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) hits Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (2) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Carolina Panthers cornerback Zack Sanchez (31) and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrate a Panthers defensive play against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Damiere Byrd (18) moves past Tennessee Titans defensive back B.W. Webb (38) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (2) runs against Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) and Carolina Panthers defensive back Colin Jones (42) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (2) runs past Carolina Panthers defensive back Colin Jones (42) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (2) runs past Carolina Panthers linebacker David Mayo (55) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers tight end Scott Simonson (80) and Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (20) vie for a loose ball during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kevin Norwood (81) makes the touchdown catch against Tennessee Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims (36) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans defensive back B.W. Webb (38) taps the ball back after a punt during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Fans sit in the stands after the field was cleared of players and fans due to lightening during the second half of an NFL preseason football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Security personnel stand on the field after the field was cleared of players and fans due to lightening during the second half of an NFL preseason football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Fans take photos after the field was cleared of players and fans due to lightening during the second half of an NFL preseason football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Fans sit in the stands after the field was cleared of players and fans due to lightening during the second half of an NFL preseason football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen (44) tackles Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (20) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Leigh Hutchinson, 8, of Watertown, Tenn., stands in the rain watching the second half of an NFL preseason football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Carolina Panthers running back Brandon Wegher (32) runs past Tennessee Titans cornerback Curtis Riley (35) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Carolina Panthers running back Jalen Simmons (38) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Tennessee Titans line backer Amarlo Herrera (56) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota speak after the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Panthers won 26-16. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
