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          Panthers' Tommy Tremble hauls in 17-yard opening drive touchdown

          • David Newton, ESPN Staff WriterJan 1, 2023, 01:45 PM ET
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              David Newton is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Carolina Panthers. Newton began covering Carolina in 1995 and came to ESPN in 2006 as a NASCAR reporter before joining NFL Nation in 2013. You can follow Newton on Twitter at @DNewtonespn.
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          TAMPA, Fla.-- Fresh off rushing for a team single-game record 320 yards last week against the Detroit Lions, the Carolina Panthers opened with an all-out passing attack Sunday for a quick 7-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

          Quarterback Sam Darnold connected with tight end Tommy Tremble for a 17-yard touchdown to cap the game's first series, on which four of the six plays were passes.

          Darnold was 4-for-4 for 60 yards and the touchdown, similar to the 29-yard touchdown catch Tremble had against Tampa Bay earlier this season on a pass from P.J. Walker. It was the second straight game Carolina scored a touchdown on its opening drive after having none in the first 14 games.

          The Panthers are 6-3 when scoring first and 0-6 when allowing the first points. They are the only winless team when allowing the first points this season.