This story has been updated with new information.

Andy Dalton quickly repaid Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales for the decision to start him.

The seasoned quarterback led the Panthers to a 36-22 victory Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, marking the team’s first win of the season and providing a crucial boost just a week after they benched former No. 1 draft pick Bryce Young.

Dalton recorded 319 passing yards and three touchdowns on 26 completions out of 37 attempts, fueling the Panthers to accumulate 437 offensive yards. His touchdowns were the team’s first of the season, and his first-half passing yard total (212) surpassed the Panthers’ combined total from the first two games (204).

He also became the first quarterback in the NFL this season to achieve at least 300 yards and throw for three touchdowns in a game.

“It felt amazing,” Dalton said during the postgame conference. “Getting the chance to play was great, and the result couldn’t have been better. We never let up, and that was the exciting part. We didn’t just have one good drive; we kept it going throughout the game.”

Dalton made an immediate impact, leading the offense on a 70-yard, nine-play opening drive, finishing it with a 9-yard touchdown pass to running back Chuba Hubbard. This was the Panthers’ first touchdown on their opening drive since Week 17 of 2022.

He tossed two more touchdown passes in the second quarter: one to Diontae Johnson for 5 yards and another 31-yard throw to Adam Thielen, showcasing his skills by threading the ball between two defenders.

In their first two games this season, the Panthers set a league-low with just two successful third-down conversions out of 22 attempts. However, on Sunday, they converted five out of twelve chances.

“Everything centers around third downs,” Canales said in the postgame conference. “On both offense and defense, third downs were crucial. We improved in that area, allowing us to play our style of football.”