CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Anticipation surrounded Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young as the season began, with the biggest question being whether he could prove himself at the NFL level.
After a challenging first two seasons where he posted a 6-22 record as a starter, Young, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, is finally giving a playoff-hungry organization reason to believe he is the right choice for the future. This season, he stands at 8-6 as a starter, enhancing his reputation as a performer under pressure.
Young has orchestrated 12 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime over his three seasons—leading all quarterbacks in the league during this stretch.
He showed his skill once again on Sunday, connecting on a crucial 34-yard pass to Jalen Coker down the right sideline on a pivotal third down, setting up the go-ahead field goal in Carolina’s 23-20 win over rival Tampa Bay. This victory positioned the Panthers at the top of the NFC South.
While Young is still developing, his confidence appears to be blossoming week by week, and his defensive reads are noticeably improving.
“Bryce was taking what the defense offered and the Bucs made some smart adjustments,” Panthers coach Dave Canales stated following the game. “They mixed in blitz looks and zoned coverage. They threw some conventional looks paired with pressure, and Bryce responded expertly. He made smart decisions, throwing the ball away when necessary, and extending plays when the opportunity arose. His confidence, connections, and the commitment he has shown to this young group are impressive.”
Young also displayed resilience after sustaining an ankle injury early in the game and pushed through the discomfort.
A significant challenge looms ahead for Young.
The Panthers, desperate for a playoff berth—they haven’t tasted postseason success since 2017—are on the verge of clinching their first division title in a decade as they enter the final two weeks of the regular season.
Carolina can secure the NFC South with a win against Seattle this Sunday, provided that the Buccaneers lose to Miami. Any other outcome means the Panthers and Bucs will face off again in a Week 18 showdown to determine the division champion.
“The playoffs are just weeks away. We can’t afford to dwell on hypotheticals right now. Our focus needs to be on next week,” Young said. “It’s exciting in the locker room because we get to compete, but after 24 hours, our attention shifts to the biggest game of the year. That’s always our mindset.”
What’s working
Carolina’s duo of cornerbacks, Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, is shaping up to be one of the top tandems in the league. The Panthers managed to limit Baker Mayfield to 145 passing yards. Although Mike Evans caught two passes for 14 yards and a touchdown on Tampa Bay’s opening drive, he was held to just 17 total yards for the remainder of the contest. Carolina also effectively contained Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka.
What needs improvement
The Panthers have leaned heavily on their running game this season, but it struggled against the Buccaneers. Rico Dowdle rushed for only 29 yards on nine carries, while Chuba Hubbard added 27 yards on six attempts. The team did manage a 25-yard run from wide receiver Jimmy Horn on a reverse and another 20 yards rushing from Young, putting them over 100 rushing yards for the day.
Stock up
After a costly penalty in the previous game against the New Orleans Saints, Panthers rookie safety Lathan Ransom redeemed himself with a crucial interception against Mayfield late in the contest, sealing the victory against the Buccaneers. Drafted in the fourth round from Ohio State, Ransom used last week’s experience as fuel heading into this matchup.
Stock down
Wide receiver Xavier Legette had a quiet game, recording only one catch for 12 yards. He also dropped a pass and failed to maintain proper sideline awareness when he couldn’t get both feet in bounds after a catch near the edge. Meanwhile, Coker continued to make strides, catching three passes for 47 yards after scoring touchdowns in the previous two games.
Injury updates
The Panthers finished the game against the Bucs without any major injuries, but concerns linger about starting left tackle Ickey Ekwonu, who missed the game due to a knee issue after an MRI earlier that week. The organization is taking precautions to prevent a long-term injury. Additionally, Canales mentioned that they might activate guard Robert Hunt, who has been sidelined since Week 2 due to a torn biceps, opening a 21-day window this week for his return. Hunt is regarded as one of the team’s best offensive linemen.
Key number
2015 — The last year the Panthers secured the NFC South title.
Looking ahead
The Panthers are set to face two quarterbacks in the upcoming games—Seattle’s Sam Darnold and the Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield—whom they believed were not suitable to lead their franchise.
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