The right leg that kicks the football shocks the NFL.
The Green Bay Packers dared Panthers rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald to beat them and the rationale wasn’t wrong. The Lambeau wind was a hater – mucking up the game for fun. It shifted Fitzgerald’s extra point and threw a Brandon McManus’ field goal attempt into a block of faithful cheeseheads.
With one second remaining in regulation Fitzgerald dared the wind to deny him this moment to be the spoiler. To be the hero. His 49-yard attempt smashed the wind in the mouth and sailed through the uprights for the win. Panthers win 16-13.
Carolina (5-4) was two touchdown underdogs to a Packers team that boasts the best record in the NFC. With the win, the Panthers are only the second NFL team since 1970 to have a winning record through nine games despite being an underdog in every game.
Here are more observations from the Panthers’ improbable week nine win.
The New RB 1
In the days leading up to week nine Panthers head coach Dave Canales decided to end the dual backfield experiment with Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard. He picked a side and he decided to roll with the hot hand. Dowdle got the start and the majority of the carries over Hubbard, and it was the right call. Dowdle carried the offense on his back, rushing for 130 yards and two touchdowns. His 19-yard burst at the end of the game helped set up Fitzgerald’s game-winning field goal. After the game he offered insight on what he saw on that decisive burst.
“Bryce made it look like a pass play. The guys flowed left and I kept the front side open”
With Sunday’s performance, Dowdle became the fourth Panther to record at least 125 rushing yards in three games in a season. Joining Christian McCaffrey, DeAngelo Williams, and Stephen Davis.
Shutting The Water Off
Carolina’s defense may have bent a little. Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw for 273 yards and completed 26 of his 37 passes. However, the unit didn’t give up a passing touchdown and forced Love into a fumble and an interception.
What impressed me the most about the defense was the fact that while they gave up a big play, they would redeem themselves with their resolve in the red zone. The defense, like the team as a whole, is in the process of progression. Sometimes there will be setbacks along the way, but it is clear they are improving incrementally.
Derrick Brown continues to be a driving force for this unit. While he recorded only four tackles Sunday, that alone doesn’t quantify his impact. His pressure drew penalties on the Packers’ offense in the clutch, and he disrupted much of their actions on offense throughout the game.
Work In Progress
Establishing the run was a priority in week nine, as it should be. Dowdle is an aggressive runner who punishes defenses and the rushing attack is the unit’s biggest strength. However, the Panthers’ passing game continues to be a work in progress. Bryce Young returned to the lineup after missing week eight and he struggled for most of the game. He lost a fumble and a pass intended for Xavier Legette was intercepted. Tetairoa McMilan continues to solidify himself as wide receiver one, as he caught four of his six targets for 46 yards.
While Young struggled for the majority of the game, he did showed poise through it all. He orchestrated the decisive eight-play 40-yard drive to set up the Fitzgerald field goal. He did it by leaning into his strengths as a short-yard passer and picking and choosing when to throw deeper. To me, Young should continue to lean into his strengths regardless of how they look in the box score and continue to gain chemistry with his receivers. It may not click completely this season, but it’s just part of the process.
