NFL roundup: Gano misses last-second field goal

The 2016 NFL regular season opened up on Thursday night, as the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers with an incredible comeback.

Week 1 in the NFL kicked off in style on Thursday night, as the Denver Broncos came back from 10 points down to defeat the Carolina Panthers.

Quarterback Trevor Siemian showed incredible poise in his first NFL start, shaking off two interceptions to lead the team to the victory. The Panthers had a chance to win it with nine seconds left in the game, but Graham Gano missed a 50-yard field goal for the win.

Prior to kickoff, Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall took a knee during the national anthem. Marshall was apparently showing solidarity to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who is refusing to stand for the anthem to bring attention to racial oppression. Marshall was a teammate of Kaepernick at the University of Nevada.

During the game, Cam Newton set two NFL records, as he is wiping Hall of Famer Steve Young out of the record books. With his two-yard TD run in the second quarter, Newton set the career record for rushing touchdowns for a QB with 44. In addition, his rushing TD gave him both a touchdown on the ground and in the air, something he has now done 32 times.

In news outside of Thursday’s game, the New England Patriots may be without Rob Gronkowski when they open up their 2016 slate on Sunday. Gronk is still nursing a hamstring injury, and told reporters that while he wants to be out there on Sunday night, he may not be able to.

The Patriots will face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday Night Football, and are already without starting quarterback Tom Brady. If the Pats do not have Gronk either, it could be a long day for Jimmy Garoppolo, who is making his first NFL start.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater had successful surgery on his knee on Thursday, as he now turns his attention towards his rehab. The team traded for Sam Bradford to take his place in the starting lineup this past week, though he may not be ready to start in time for Week 1. Bridgewater is the future of the organization, and the team expects him to make a full recovery from such a devastating injury.