Panthers Lose in Heartbreaker Against the Rams to Open the Playoffs

The Panthers are in their first playoff game since 2017. After winning the NFC South, they got the fourth seed and a home game. It was a hard-fought game, going back and forth multiple times. Big plays on both sides evened out the game. The game started rough, with the Rams scoring on their opening drive. Bryce Young then threw an interception, leading to another score and putting the Panthers down by two scores in the first quarter. Being forced against a wall, the Panthers activated. The energy in the stadium was electric. With the game on the line, the Panthers’ Jimmy Horn dropped the pass that would have secured the first down. The blame cannot be placed solely on Horn, as there were multiple mistakes during the game. The Panthers lost 34-31. A great capstone to end the season with. 

The Defense is the Best Part of the Panthers

The defense really came alive after those first two scores. The Panthers' defense is a top 10 unit in the league, and they reminded everybody of that. The secondary, in particular, turned it around, coming up with multiple stops on third down. Coming up big at the end of the second quarter, Mike Jackson came up with a huge interception. This is the second time that Jackson has picked off Matthew Stafford this year. The run defense has also been huge today. Coming up with multiple stops on the one-yard line. Ultimately, the Panthers' inability to cover the middle of the field was their undoing. All year, they’ve given up massive plays to the middle of the field. Jaycee Horn going down did not help either.  

Bryce Young is Him

The offense was cooking today. Young erased all doubt about who he is and what he is. He’s the Panthers’ franchise quarterback. Young came up big all day with multiple big throws and a rushing touchdown to tie the game. To start the game, the Rams brought pressure, successfully breaking the pocket and forcing Young to scramble. The absence of Ikem Ekwonu, who got injured early in the game, ended up being a big hit to the left side. Young finished the day with 21 completions for 264 passing yards and a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown. An impressive first playoff game for Young and a good indicator of what’s to come. He’s finally coming into his own after multiple years of being called a bust. Side note: The Panthers picked up his fifth-year option, meaning he’ll be back to build on the success he had this season. 

The Running Game is a Mess but a Great Mess

The return of Robert Hunt was a massive help on the line. Together with Damien Lewis, they opened up the run game. Chuba Hubbard looked to be back in form and the starter. Hubbard had a much better day than in recent games, with only 46 rushing yards but two touchdowns. Rico Dowdle had mostly been absent from rushing snaps, finding more play on returns. Dowdle had just five rushing attempts today. I don’t know what happened with Dowdle or why he found himself on the outside of the rotation. For a while, the running backs were alternating snaps. It seemed Hubbard had almost entirely taken over as the team’s starting rusher. The Panthers have gotten away from the run in recent games. No running back has managed to rush for over 100 yards since Dowdle against the Packers in Week Nine. The Panthers are a rushing team, so seeing them move away from the run has not been great. Granted, it seems that Dave Canales has more trust in Young’s arm these days. 

The Two Best Skill Position Players

Today’s stars were the two best receivers on the team. Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. TMac had a great game with five catches for 81 yards. Coker had the best game of his career, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Finishing the day with nine receptions, 134 yards, and a touchdown. These two should be the receiving room of the future. Xavier Legette has been almost entirely phased out. He finds himself on special teams, mostly. He had one catch on the day for eight yards.

A Glimpse of the Future

The Panthers played a great game, instilling faith in the future. Dave Canales has done a fantastic job of turning around the team. Coming off a terrible year last year, to almost shocking the Rams out of the Wild Card Round. The future is bright in Carolina, and with some key additions in the offseason, the Panthers should be primed to run the NFC South.