With a playoff spot unlikely and Cam Newton banged up, the​ Carolina Panthers declared backup ​Taylor Heinicke the starter going forward, and it's paying dividends early. The Old Dominion product has thrown his first career touchdown to tight end Ian Thomas to give the Panthers the early lead against the Atlanta Falcons:

TAYLOR HEINICKE FIRST TOUCHDOWN: ☑️ pic.twitter.com/zK3YWbzua8 — Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 23, 2018

You've gotta love that. Congrats to Taylor, and hopefully it's the first of many.​​