Where else would Bryce Young want to be?
On a must-convert third-and-10, Young dropped back and threw a dart to Xavier Legette for a new set of downs – cumulating into a four-play,64-yard touchdown drive with 1:08 remaining in the game to take a one-point lead and the game for the Carolina Panthers’ second win of the season.
The polarizing second-year quarterback needed this confidence boost. He needed to feel that his preparation paid off. He needed to feel what it was like to take command of a unit that looked at him to lead them. He needed to feel what it was like to win again.
Here are some observations from the Panthers’ Week 9 win.
Emerging Weapon?
Having a reliable, pass-catching tight end is an essential component to the success of a young quarterback in the league. For Carolina, they may have that guy in Ja’Tavion Sanders. Against the Saints, Sanders recorded a new career-high four catches for 87 yards. One of those receptions made the highlight reel as Sanders hauled in a 46-yard catch and run with a hurdle and truck over a Saints defender.
“I just tried to turn a checkdown into a big play for my team and give us some momentum going into the third quarter,” he said.
In addition to the catch, Sanders also drew a pass interference penalty within the winning drive.
Questionable Playcalling
Despite Young’s stats appearing pedestrian, he looked confident and decisive. He was comfortable throwing the ball downfield as he connected with Legette and Sanders for huge gains. However for every deep play, Panthers head coach Dave Canales called for more screens than Best Buy. In one sequence, he dialed up two screen passes that resulted in a five-yard loss on third-and-15; followed by a check down to Sanders which resulted in a punt. In the postgame, Canales explained that the screens were plays that developed organically.
“The way that series played out, it was that the plays just went to those spots,” he said. “One of them was a screen with an aggressive part as well. I thought they (Saints) had a better call on two of those screens we had.”
My Ball Or Nobody’s?
Before hauling a 26-yard catch on the game winning drive, Legette had a first down a possession prior.. Or so he thought. Saints Cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles stripped the ball from Legette for an interception. Earlier in the game, Legette injured his hand but the rookie wide receiver isn’t using that as an excuse.
“No, I wouldn’t put it on that,” Legette said of his injury. “It was just a freaky play. I’m still trying to figure out how he made that play.”
Olave Injury
In the first quarter, Saints wide receiver Chris Olave attempted to catch a pass from Derrick Carr when Panthers’ defenders closed in for the hits. One shot was to Olive’s head, which rendered him unconscious. According to the Saints, Olave was taken to a local hospital but has since been discharged.
Before the injury, Olave returned from concussion protocol earlier this week.