10 telling stats from Broncos' thrilling victory over Panthers

Running down the significant stats and notable numbers from the Broncos’ 21-20 season-opening win over the Panthers on Thursday night:

Trevor Siemian, of course, was the talk of the night as he completed 18-of-26 passes for 178 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions for a better-than-it-appears 69.1 passer rating (Cam Newton’s, by comparison, was 69.5). In any case, what matters, in the end, are the final numbers on the scoreboard, as Siemian became only the sixth QB drafted by Denver to win his debut start. The second-year signal caller joins joining Mickey Slaughter (1963), Marlin Briscoe (’68), Craig Penrose (’76), Gary Kubiak (’83) and Brock Osweiler (’15). Of those half-dozen, only Osweiler, with 250 yards, threw for more yards than Siemian.

Nearly all of Siemian’s targets (24 of 26), were directed to four players: WRs Emmanuel Sanders (eight) and Demaryius Thomas (six), TE Virgil Green (five) and RB C.J. Anderson (five). Wideout Jordan Norwood and RB Kapri Bibbs garnered the other two.

Overall, both teams had surprising success on the ground with the Panthers rushing for 157 yards on 32 attempts (4.9 yards per carry) and the Broncos gaining 148 on 29 rushes (5.1). A season ago, Denver (third) and Carolina (fourth) both ranked among the league’s the top-five rushing defenses, surrendering, on average, 83.6 and 88.4 yards per game, respectively, and 3.9 yards or fewer per carry.

While starter C.J. Anderson ran for 92 yards and a TD on 20 carries and rookie FB Andy Janovich rumbled for a 28-yard score on his first and only carry, fellow first-year player, and backup RB Devontae Booker was limited to eight yards on three attempts. The fourth-round pick also coughed up a fumble on his first NFL carry. Considering his 60 yards on 21 carries (2.9 yards) in the preseason as well, it’s been a less-than-impressive start for Booker so far.

Whether by land or air, the Orange & Blue did move the ball. Taking away the two one-play kneel-down possessions at the end of each half, the Broncos reached at least the Carolina 30-yard-line on six of their remaining nine drives, resulting in three touchdowns and a trio of turnovers. The remaining three possessions in this tale of threes resulted in three-and-out punts.

After Newton and the Panthers created some minor Broncos Country-panic by converting 6-of-7 third downs in the opening half in building a 17-7 lead, Carolina only converted 2-of-8 third-down attempts in the second half. The tale of the two halves is also reflected in the yardage split as the Panthers gained 210 yards on 35 plays (6.0 per) in the first 30 minutes and only 123 on 33 plays (3.7) after halftime.

Newton threw for 194 yards and a touchdown and added 54 more and a TD on 11 rushes, but he did pay a price, absorbing 17 hits (eight passing, nine rushing) on the night, including some well-documented shots to the helmet. DeMarcus Ware, Todd Davis and Jared Crick were credited with two QB hits apiece.

When Graham Gano’s 50-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left in the waning seconds, it sealed the Broncos’ fifth straight season-opening victory. It also was the 16^th win for Denver in its last 17 home openers and 29^th victory in 33 home openers (.879) since Pat Bowlen took over as owner in 1984.

The win also gives the Broncos a 12-3 record in games decided by a touchdown or fewer and a 6-1 straight-up mark as a point-spread underdog since the start of last season.