3) What Began in Denver …

When kicker Graham Gano went wide right on a 45-yard field goal in the first quarter, his made/attempts stats in Carolina took on a familiar look:

• 2013 — 24/27
• 2014 — 29/35
• 2015 — 30/36
• 2016 — 29/35

Gano then missed a 58-yard attempt before he nailed a 54-yarder that gave the Panthers a 10-7 lead. But his final kick, a miss from just 36 yards away midway through the fourth quarter, was inexcusable.

“A little disappointed,” Rivera said when asked about Gano’s day. “We had some opportunities to put some points on the board and we didn’t do it. At the end of the day, we all have jobs to do and we have to do our job.”

Gano will head into the final season of a four-year, $12.4 million contract in 2017, but after a year that started and ended with missed kicks, a roster spot may not be guaranteed.

“We’re going to compete at all positions,” Rivera said. “We will certainly compete at all positions.”