The Panthers Wild Ride Heading into the Bye Week
The Panthers have had a true rollercoaster ride of a season, defined by extremely low lows and soaring highs. There is no way to really say what this team is with horrible losses to the Jaguars and Cardinals, and massive wins over the Packers and Rams. Some players have truly risen to the occasion and set themselves apart. The most crucial matter in all of this is that the Panthers are winning again. At 7-6, they are second in the NFC South, one game behind the Buccaneers. An exciting time in Carolina.
Bryce Young has both impressed and disappointed. The talent is there; it's evident. Whether he is finally adjusting to the NFL or whether Dave Canales has finally got both Young and the offense together is yet to be fully revealed. The high point for Young was Week 11, when he played the best game of his career. Setting a new franchise record for single game passing yards with 448, along with 31 completions, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Young has begun to cement himself as a fourth-quarter killer. This was most prevalent in the Rams game, when he scored a crucial touchdown to put the Panthers up and then iced the game with a tight throw to secure the game-winning first down. There are still some kinks left to iron out, but Young is finally showcasing the potential that made him a first overall pick.
Rico Dowdle has been a welcome surprise and a much-needed spark to the offense. Dowdle transformed the Panthers' offense into one of the league's best rushing attacks. He also led the team to their game-winning streak and massive upset against the Packers. Recently, Chuba Hubbard appears to have recovered from the injury he sustained earlier this season. Hubbard played a crucial role in their win over the Rams. Being effective in both the rushing game and the passing attack. The Panthers are a run-first team. The run is the key to unlocking the Panthers’ offense. Teams will stack the box to limit the run game, only to lose to Young, who is able to dissect the secondary. Teams used to dare Young to beat them with no fear; the only problem with that is Young has ice in his veins and feeds off of that energy.
While the run game has been massive for the offense, Young still needs receivers to beat teams. Enter rookie Tetairoa McMillian. Tmac is a superstar and the future face of the franchise. Currently, he is the favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Much deserved, as Tmac has revitalized a lackluster receiver room. The Panthers’ receiving room has been the same since the departure of DJ Moore. Moore was one of the best receivers in franchise history, and the team missed out on multiple free-agent signings and draft picks. Tmac is the present and the future, but he is not alone. Undrafted free agent Jalen Coker is solidifying himself as the team’s WR2. Coker missed much of the season recovering from a preseason injury but has finally caught up to where he left off in 2024. The Rams game was a massive indicator of the role Coker has carved out for himself and where the Panthers see him in their plans.
The defense has been transformed into a top 10 unit. Ejiro Evero has been under fire after two seasons of lackluster results. Still, after some big free agent signings and multiple defensive players drafted, he is back in good standing. The corner duo of Mike Jackson and Jaycee Horn has been phenomenal, making it hard to pass on the Panthers. Chau Smith-Wade has been a solid nickel back, completing the scheme that Ejiro loves to run. The actual key to the defense has been Derrick Brown. Brown missed all of 2024 after a Week One injury sidelined him for the season, but he has come back in force. Brown has been shutting down the run and collapsing pockets. His highlight this year came from the Rams game, when he sacked Matthew Stafford, forcing a fumble that moved the game back towards the Panthers.
All in all, this season has been the best one in a long time for the Panthers. The Panthers are finally above .500. They have more than three wins and are on the cusp of the playoffs. Their most crucial games are ahead. In Week 15, they play the Saints again, in a must-win game, then take on the Buccaneers in Week 16 and 18. The Panthers must win their last three division games to walk away with the NFC South title and a playoff appearance.
