NASHVILLE – A quick strike and three takeaways pushed the Panthers to a 26-16 victory in Saturday's rainy preseason game against the Titans at Nissan Stadium.
The Panthers got off to a fast start thanks to arguably their fastest player. Wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. caught a hitch from quarterback Cam Newton and slipped away from cornerback Antwon Blake. From there, Ginn was gone. He turned on the jets and ran past the Tennessee secondary for a 61-yard touchdown.
"He's probably one of the fastest guys in the NFL," Newton said. "That's not a reach. He is."
Added wideout Devin Funchess: "He gets to the second and third gear so quick. It's like, 'Wow, how do you do that?' Ted has been doing it for a long, long time."
The Titans threatened to answer right back, but the Panthers came up with a takeaway in the red zone. Cornerback Bene Benwikere intercepted quarterback Marcus Mariota's wayward pass for wide receiver Harry Douglas and returned it to the Carolina 21-yard line.
"Once I read his eyes, I was able to come back in and make a play," Benwikere said. "It's a big boost being able to prove to the coaches that I still have it and that I can still make plays."
A 36-yard completion to running back Fozzy Whittaker on third-and-4 allowed the Panthers to extend their lead late in the first quarter. Graham Gano converted a 41-yard field goal to make it 10-0.
Tennessee reached the end zone in the second quarter. Mariota rolled to his right and connected with Douglas for a 23-yard touchdown in the corner.
Rivera was particularly disappointed with the 16-yard completion on third-and-11 to rookie wide receiver Tajae Sharpe, which allowed that drive to stay alive.
"We can't allow a conversion, especially when we are in good position to stop it," head coach Ron Rivera said.
Newton and the bulk of Carolina's first-team offense and defense were done after four series. The reigning MVP finished 8-of-12 for 162 yards and one touchdown.
The Panthers extended their lead late in the first half thanks to a second takeaway. Linebacker A.J. Klein deflected quarterback Matt Cassel's pass over the middle, and rookie cornerback Zack Sanchez came down with the interception at the Carolina 43-yard line.
"A.J. made a hell of a play tipping the ball and I was able to get my hands on it," Sanchez said.
Quarterback Derek Anderson then led the second-team offense down to the Tennessee 5-yard line, but his third-down pass to wide receiver Damiere Byrd fell incomplete in the end zone. Gano converted a 23-yard field goal to make it 13-7 at halftime.
Tennessee rookie running back Derrick Henry ripped off some solid runs to help the Titans cut into the Panthers' lead early in the second half, as Ryan Succop eventually converted a 48-yard field goal.
Carolina turned a third takeaway into points later in the third quarter. Safety Colin Jones forced Titans running back David Cobb to fumble deep in his own territory, and linebacker David Mayo recovered.
Two plays later, Anderson fired a strike to wide receiver Kevin Norwood for an 8-yard touchdown. Gano missed the point after attempt wide right, leaving the Panthers with a 19-10 lead.
The game was suspended due to lightning in the area with 1:34 remaining in the third quarter. After about a half hour delay, the teams resumed play and third-string quarterback Joe Webb took over for Carolina.
"It was almost like another halftime for us," Rivera said. "I thought the players handled it well coming back out onto the field."
Webb connected with running back Jalen Simmons for a 6-yard touchdown over the middle to make it 26-10 with six minutes remaining the game. Titans tight end Alex Ellis scored a touchdown immediately after the two-minute warning and the two-point try failed.
"It feels great to find ways to win football games," Newton said. "That's all we're trying to do is to create good habits."
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)
