After Bryce Young led the Carolina Panthers on a 17-play, 90-yard drive to beat the Atlanta Falcons 9-7 on a field goal as time expired, interim coach Chris Tabor declared the No. 1 overall pick a “winner.” “
That statement may be a bit premature considering Young is just 2-11, but this is the type of win that could give the rookie a much-needed boost of confidence.
It was Carolina’s first win since Oct. 29 when Young led a similar drive late in the fourth quarter to beat the Houston Texans 15-13, a win that also came with an Eddy Pineiro field goal as time expired.
These two games show that Young has poise under pressure.
This is a promising sign that provides the Panthers with the ability to put more talent around him — most notably on the offensive line and at the wide receiver position — so he can develop into the franchise quarterback the organization so desperately needs.
Young was 5 of 5 for 68 yards on the final drive and the Panthers chewed the final 7:35 off the clock.
It was a huge relief for a team that entered the weekend with the worst record in the NFL and had lost six straight games.
“There’s definitely a lot of joy,” Young said. “It really comes from our desire to see each other succeed. We want to see each other win. We’ve put in the work. We trust each other, and we haven’t been able to see a lot of those results this year, but it’s always great to see that and it will really pay off.” Sunday. “
One of the main reasons for Young’s success is that he finally got some help from a receiver not named Adam Thielen.
On the final drive, tight end Tommy Trimble hauled in a 19-yard TD, rookie receiver Jonathan Mingo made a tough catch for a 20-yard gain, and veteran wide receiver DJ Chark added an 18-yard toe-tap reception near the sideline in a downpour Fixed.
That kind of production has been largely absent in a season in which Young failed to surpass 250 receiving yards in a single game.
“Those shots weren’t easy out there, and I was really proud of our guys, who really focused and made those plays,” Tabor said. “The thing I saw today that you can’t argue with is that there were plays to be made, and they made the plays. So, you can say, ‘Did they make a move?’ Based on that play, I would say they were. So, that’s the standard for next week.” Now can we go ahead and pay it forward?
But the Panthers still have ways to attack.
Carolina frequently got off to slow starts and managed just 16 touchdowns on offense in 14 games.
What to do
The Panthers are slowly discovering that they are a much better pass blocking team than they are a pass blocking team.
The Panthers had another good day running the football, picking up 129 yards on the ground on 36 carries led by Chuba Hubbard’s 87 yards on 22 carries.
The Panthers made effective use of some jet sweeps by wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette resulting in 31 yards on four carries. It was a nice change of pace and surprised the Falcons.
The passing game, outside of the final drive, was largely ineffective. Young had just 99 yards through the air and was sacked three times before the game-winning field goal.
What needs help?
Despite the victory, the Panthers’ attack was still in disarray, especially in the first half. Carolina entered the locker room at halftime trailing 7-3, marking the seventh straight game in which the offense managed just three points in the first half.
storage
Panthers safety Xavier Woods spent some of the offseason being harassed by his teammates for throwing interceptions last season. But Woods’ pick of Desmond Reeder on Sunday at Carolina 5 not only prevented the Falcons from making the match by double digits, it also ultimately led to Pineiro’s winning shot.
“He’s in the Jugs machine all the time after practice. I’m with him all the time, slapping his arm and hitting him. It’s working. He’s worked all year and I’m finally seeing him get his flowers,” Hubbard said. “Seeing the hard work pay off is good. I’m happy for him. He gave us the win.”
Low stock
The Panthers’ offensive line allowed three more sacks on Sunday, meaning Young has now been sacked 51 times in 13 games, an average of nearly four per game. This is a group that has suffered several injuries at the point guard spot and needs an upgrade this offseason.
Injuries
Cornerback Donte Jackson left Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter with a back injury. His status moving forward is uncertain.
Key numbers
0 – Number of plays the Panthers have run this season while taking a lead in the fourth quarter. Carolina’s win came on the final play of the game when they were trailing before the game-winning kick. No team since at least 1991 has gone an entire season without taking a fourth-quarter lead at the start of a game.
Next steps
The Panthers host the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Eve.
The Carolina Panthers are gearing up for a crucial game, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for quarterback Bryce Young. As a rookie, Young has struggled to find his footing on the field, but a victory for the Panthers could be just what he needs to regain his confidence and solidify his place as a rising star in the NFL. With the pressure on, all eyes will be on Young as he looks to lead his team to a much-needed win.