Winning is a process, and more often than not, the process looks like mixed efforts and struggle. It’s often rough and non linear. The losses in this process are lessons. For the Carolina Panthers in their 30-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, the lessons were capitalizing on red zone opportunities, playing disciplined defense, and not being afraid to tackle a quarterback with the game on the line.
Here are more observations from Week 12:
Alabama Bryce
There’s a t turning point early in a career when a player gets to his ‘ah ha’ moment. This is the moment where he starts to grasp schemes, understand the nuances and the game starts to slow down. Since returning as a starter in Week 9, Bryce Young appears to be reaching that moment. Against the Chiefs, Young looked more the quarterback he was at Alabama than the one who was benched for Andy Dalton in Week 3.
Young was decisive and confident in his throws for most of the game-connecting on deep passes a well as screen passes. Statistically, Young went toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes, as he completed 21 of his 35 attempts for 263 yards and a touchdown. In comparison, Mahomes completed 27 of his 37 attempts for 269 yards and three touchdowns. Young was also poised in clutch time. In the games’s final minute, he orchestrated the game tying drive. When asked about the sequence Young admitted that it felt good to execute the offense and gave credit to the defense for the possession to set it up.
Red Zone Execution
The money that jingles is appreciated. It’s better than having lint in your pocket. But the money that folds is what’s preferred. It’s what we work for. Carolina was money in the red zone on Sunday. However, they had more money jingling in their pocket (field goals) than money folding in their wallet (touchdowns). Again, Young strung some good drives together and led them to the red zone, but couldn’t capitalize effectively. Three points are better than nothing at all, but six at a time is what wins games.
19 Flags Over Carolina
The Panthers and Chiefs painted the Queen City yellow with all the penalties they accumulated Sunday. Kansas City had 10 penalties for 91 yards, while Carolina had nine for 53 yards. In terms of aesthetics, the game was sloppy as a whole. Most of the penalties were holding and there were multiple instants of offsetting penalties. There were also instances of ‘ticky tac’ penalties which were momentum killers. Carolina took advantage of the Chiefs penalties and put themselves in a position to win despite not being efficient enough in red zone.
Sanders Update
Panthers rookie TE Ja’Taveon Sanders was carted off the field in the second quarter after suffering what is now known as a neck injury. Sanders was taken to a Charlotte are hospital for further evaluation. He has since been discharged and according to Panthers head coach Dave Canales, has movement in his extremities.