NASHVILLE - The Carolina Panthers couldn't quite overcome a slow start by starting units missing their top star, quickly falling 17 points behind in a 34-27 loss to the Tennessee Titans in their first preseason road game.
Graham Gano's 37-yard field goal with 3:51 left in the game tied the game at 27-all, but the Panthers' third turnover derailed their hopes. On the final play before the two-minute warning, quarterback Garrett Gilbert lost a fumble on a sack. On the first play after the two-minute warning, Titans running back David Fluellen scored from 3 yards out to regain the lead. Gilbert directed the offense inside Tennessee's 30-yard line in the final minute before running out of downs.
"You can't make mistakes like that. You can't turn the ball over," head coach Ron Rivera said. "It is a matter of four or five big plays a game that dictates the winners and the losers."
Before the late fumble, the final three quarters stood in stark contrast to the opening one. The first-team offense, without quarterback Cam Newton (shoulder) for the second consecutive game, turned the ball over on the two of its first three possessions and didn't net a single yard on the other drive. The Titans took advantage against a defense playing without linebacker Luke Kuechly (ribs).
The Panthers eventually answered behind a potential emerging star in rookie running back Christian McCaffrey and their backfield reserves.
Tennessee's offense clicked from the opening kickoff, marching 59 yards behind quarterback Marcus Mariota before settling for a field goal. Then on Carolina's first offensive snap, Derek Anderson's short completion to Devin Funchess was nullified and then some by a strip and fumble recovery, setting up Mariota for a 4-yard scoring pass to tight end Delanie Walker for a 10-0 lead.
After the defenses traded three-and-outs, Anderson was picked off on the first play of the Panthers' third drive by linebacker Justin Staples on a deflected ball bound for tight end Greg Olsen. On the Titans' subsequent snap, running back Derrick Henry got free around the left side for a 17-yard score and a 17-0 lead.
The Panthers righted the ship from there and made a game of it. Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin jumpstarted the offense and the drive with a 20-yard gain, then McCaffrey busted loose. After he had a 13-yard run and Benjamin added an 11-yard catch, McCaffrey capped the 75-yard march by scooting outside and down the right sideline for a 17-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.
"Just the explosiveness," Rivera said. "You're always holding your breath when he's got the football, especially in space."
McCaffrey gained 38 yards on a screen pass later in the half to set up a 46-yard field goal by rookie Harrison Butker, and the Panthers headed to halftime down 24-10. Joe Webb took over for Anderson at quarterback to open the second half and directed a 91-yard scoring march right off the bat to bring Carolina within 24-17. Wide receiver Brenton Bersin – who later left with a shoulder injury - had a 22-yard catch and run early in the drive, and running back Cameron Artis-Payne added a 22-yard run before capping it off with a 1-yard score.
The Titans answered the six-minute march with one just under six minutes that ended with a Ryan Succop 50-yard field goal. The Panthers quickly answered, covering 75 yards in just four plays to pull within 27-24 late in the third quarter. Artis-Payne zipped around the right side for a 43-yard gain, then rookie fullback Alex Armah, turned upfield with a screen along the right side for a 20-yard touchdown.
The Panthers (1-1) soon will be back on the road when they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars for their next-to-last preseason game Thursday night at 7:30.
View photos from Carolina's preseason game at Tennessee.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, center, yells on the sideline in the first half of an NFL football preseason game between the Panthers and the Tennessee Titans Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) catches a 4-yard touchdown pass ahead of Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey dives into the end zone for a touchdown on a 17-year run ahead of Tennessee Titans cornerback Brice McCain (23) in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a 17-year run against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. At left is Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess (17) and at right is Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25). (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball against Carolina Panthers defensive back Teddy Williams (21) and linebacker Jeremy Cash (57) in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers tight end Ed Dickson (84) is stopped by Tennessee Titans linebacker Erik Walden (58) in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Cassel (16) jumps past Carolina Panthers linebacker Jeremy Cash (57) as linebacker David Mayo (55) also give chase in the first half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (34) scores a touchdown on a 1-yard run against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne (34) celebrates Darrel Young (36) and Eric Wallace (46) after Artis-Payne scored a touchdown on a 1-yard run against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back David Fluellen (32) is hit by Carolina Panthers defensive back Teddy Williams (21) in the second half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Alex Tanney (11) is sacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Jeremy Cash (57) for an 8-yard loss in the second half of an NFL football preseason game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) celebrates with quarterback Cam Newton after Gano kicked a 37-yard field goal against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football preseason game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Austin Duke (16) can't grab a pass in the end zone as he is defended by Tennessee Titans defensive back Kalan Reed (24) in the second half of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Garrett Gilbert (4) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Aaron Wallace (52) late in the fourth quarter of an NFL football preseason game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans recovered the ball and scored the winning touchdown on the following play. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
