Keep on learning. Keep on growing.
The first two possessions couldn’t have been any worse for Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers’ offense. The opening drive culminated in a fumble and a Cardinals touchdown. Young then followed up that drive with an interception.
In the second half, the third-year quarterback began to settle in and the game slowed down. The result? Throwing for 217 yards and three touchdowns. These are the games that change boys to men-getting adversity’s best shot, searching and scrapping for answers, eventually figuring it out and overcoming challenges.
Growing up in this league has been a pain for Young. He has endured every struggle, setback and indictment of his abilities. Through it all, he has continued to work and search for answers to his questions and whatever is ailing this team.
Carolina came up short against the Arizona Cardinals, but in this loss there is something to gain. The Panthers looked competitive and capable in the third quarter and had momentum in the fourth. They needed the second-half boost to feel like winning is possible, and what it’s like to fight.
Here are more observations from the 27-22 loss at Arizona.
Non-Existent Running Game
For the first time in seven games, the Panthers held an opponent to less than 200 rushing yards. The Cardinals rushed for 82 yards. After rushing for 112 yards during their matchup last season, James Connor only recorded 34 yards on 11 carries in Week 2. Carolina deployed a four-man rush for most of the game and also pressured Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. The much-maligned unit held up and made the Cardinals beat them through the air.
While the Panthers’ defense stopped the run, the offense couldn’t generate a running game. Chuba Hubbard only rushed for 38 yards on 10 carries. I think the lack of a rushing game was two-fold. Young and the receivers had more momentum and Arizona’s four-man rush was also formidable.
T Mac Shows More Flashes
Tetairoa McMillan continues to stake his claim as the Panthers’ WR1. The rookie from Arizona had six receptions for 100 yards. What stood out to me in this game was his awareness. Early in the game, McMillan had a reception where he came back to the ball and helped move the chains for a first down. This is an example of what Panthers’ head coach Dave Canales means when he says the receivers have to be ‘friendly’. The receivers should make the game easier for Young by running crisp routes and having the awareness to put themselves in positions to make a play.
In addition to his awareness, McMillan can gain separation from opposing secondaries. The more targets McMillan gets, the better he will be.
Coaching Scared
On third-and-long, I noticed that Canales would settle for four-yard slants instead of testing the Cardinals’ secondary. Arizona’s defensive backs couldn’t contain McMillan or Ja’Tavion Sanders. Both receivers were beating their men, and knowing this, settling for four-yard slants when you need 10 made no sense. Moving forward, I would like to see Canales take more downfield risks in these situations.