that is the lower radiator support panel, it bolts to bottom of inner fenders and the grill sits on top of it.
here is a picture off the Internet that might help
Then the hood latch panel sits on top of grill and radiator support. I think mongocanfly mistook your picture for the hood latch panel.
it can be hard to get inner, outer fenders, grill and the upper and lower panels all together. On my truck leaving every bolt loose until all the panels are wrestled into place is necessary