CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Indianapolis Colts scored 20 points in the second quarter and crushed the Carolina Panthers in a lopsided Week 9 contest.
Bryce Young threw three interceptions in the game, two of which were returned for touchdowns, and was kept off balance by the Colts the whole game. Indianapolis cruised to a 27-13 win with Gardner Minshew under center.
Neither team managed a first down until midway through the first quarter when the Panthers moved the chains for the first time. Carolina had a short field to work with on the drive after Colts punt returner Isaiah McKenzie muffed a punt. Young was sacked shortly after, kicking the team out of field goal range.
Indianapolis scored the game's first points in the second quarter with a field goal on their next drive. The Colts later added to their lead with a touchdown pass from Minshew to Jordan Taylor and another field goal.
Trailing 13-3, the Panthers gained possession late in the first half with a chance to tighten the score. Young guided the team to midfield before Indianapolis' Kenny Moore II intercepted a pass and took it 49 yards for the score to put the Colts up 20-3 at halftime.
Carolina opened the second half with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Young to DJ Chark.
Early in the fourth quarter, Young had another pass intercepted by Moore and returned for a touchdown to make the score 27-13.
Two drives later, Young had another pass intercepted to effectively close out a nightmare game for the young signal caller.
Young finished the game 24 of 39 for 173 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Chuba Hubbard led the Panthers on the ground with 58 yards rushing.
Minshew had just 127 yards passing while completing 17 of 26 throws.
Carolina falls to 1-7 with the loss. The Panthers' next game is on Thursday night football on the road against the Chicago Bears (2-7).