Christian McCaffrey faced his former Carolina Panthers team for the first time since his trade to the San Francisco 49ers in 2022.
The All-Pro running back powered San Francisco to a 20-9 victory on “Monday Night Football,” finding the end zone and leading both teams in total yards from scrimmage.
The 49ers (8-4) are now firmly in the NFC playoff picture, while the Panthers (6-6) missed a chance to take sole possession of the NFC South lead.
Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Claudin Cherelus, #53, of the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter of the game at Levi’s Stadium on Nov. 24, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
While McCaffrey shined on the primetime stage, it was a rough night for both quarterbacks.
Brock Purdy, who threw three touchdowns in his return the previous week, struggled with turnovers, tossing three interceptions on consecutive possessions in the first half.
San Francisco opened strong with a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by Purdy’s short pass to Jauan Jennings, who fought through three Panthers defenders to score. But after a quick Panthers three-and-out, Purdy’s first pass on the next series was picked off by Jaycee Horn, giving Carolina the ball at the San Francisco 16-yard line.
But this night wasn’t just about Purdy’s turnovers — Young had some issues as well.
On first-and-goal from the 1, Young appeared to have room to run toward the pylon, but he instead tried a pass to tight end Mitchell Evans. Ji’Ayir Brown was right there to snag the interception in the end zone and bail out Purdy for his earlier mistake.
Unfortunately for San Francisco, Purdy was picked off by Mike Jackson in the opposite end zone when he tried to find Ricky Pearsall for a touchdown. The route was read perfectly by the veteran cornerback. Upon replay, tight end George Kittle appeared wide open and might have scored with a short pass, but Purdy was looking for the big play on the throw.
Then Purdy was really kicking himself after Horn secured his second interception of the game — a savvy play as he roamed free in the middle of the field and Purdy simply didn’t see him on a pass intended for Pearsall. The Panthers finally got points on the board after a field goal cut the deficit to 7-3.
Jauan Jennings of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium on Nov. 24, 2025 in Santa Clara, California.(Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
It was only 10-3 at halftime, but the 49ers finally got McCaffrey into the end zone in the third quarter against his former team. His 12-yard touchdown run capped a 13-play, 80-yard drive by San Francisco, where the star back got key blocks from Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszczyk to reach the end zone.
McCaffrey finished the game with 89 rushing yards and seven catches for 53 yards.
The Panthers weren’t completely out of the game despite the 17-3 deficit, thanks to rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan hauling in a 29-yard strike from Young with 49 seconds left in the third quarter to make it a 17-9 game after a failed two-point conversion.
The 49ers created some separation after adding another field goal, but the Panthers still had plenty of time in the fourth quarter to make things interesting. Unfortunately for them, Brown jumped a route across the middle intended for McMillan, and Young threw it right to him.
The interception virtually iced the game, as Ryan Fitzgerald missed a 57-yard field goal with 2:47 left in the fourth quarter during the Panthers’ desperate attempt to get points.
Looking at the box score, Kittle led the game with 78 yards on six catches, while Jennings finished with 41 yards on five grabs.
For the Panthers, Rico Dowdle, Chuba Hubbard and Young combined for just 69 rushing yards, though Dowdle had four catches for 36 yards. Hubbard added four catches for 27 yards.
A detailed view of an ESPN Monday Night Football pylon before an “MNF” game in October 2025. The Carolina Panthers play the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, in what will be the Panthers’ first appearance on the NFL showcase since 2023.
Scott Taetsch
Getty Images
The Carolina Panthers don’t get to play on “Monday Night Football” very often, which makes this week’s Monday night game a welcome anomaly.
Now 6-5 and firmly in the playoff hunt, the Panthers go on the road to face the San Francisco 49ers in the team’s first MNF game since 2023. It’s a chance for Carolina to impress the nation on ESPN (8:15 p.m. kickoff) or, alternately, lay an egg in front of millions of TV viewers.
Why don’t the Panthers get this chance more often?
Being a mid-sized NFL market has something to do with it. But a bigger reason is that the Panthers have been inept and irrelevant far too often in their 31-year history — although that’s usually not been the case on MNF.
Bryce Young has led the Panthers to a 6-5 record this season and threw for 448 yards last week in a win over Atlanta. PATRICK MCDERMOTT Getty Images
In 30 previous full seasons, the Panthers have only made the NFL playoffs seven times (23.3%). That ain’t good. Their updated regular-season record is 225-269-1 — in other words, they are 44 games below .500 in the organization’s lifetime. That ain’t good, either.
But you know what is good?
When on MNF, the Panthers have usually played better than expectations and have posted an overall winning record. If you’re looking for omens, Panthers fans, here’s a promising one: Carolina is 10-8 on MNF, and even its losses have mostly been close.
The Panthers, who are 7-point underdogs to San Francisco (7-4), rarely embarrass themselves in this showcase. Their winning percentage on Monday night is 55.6%, which is 10th best among all NFL teams and also 10 percentage points higher than their franchise winning percentage.
A detail of ‘Monday Night Football’ signage prior to the MNF game between Green Bay and Philadelphia on Nov. 10, 2025. “There are going to be more cameras out there than usual,” said Panthers head coach Dave Canales about Monday night’s game. MICHAEL REAVES Getty Images
It’s also true that a big Panthers win on MNF often correlates to a trip to the playoffs. There hasn’t been a win on MNF for the franchise, though, in a long time — since 2017, to be exact, which is also the last time the Panthers made the playoffs. Carolina’s last two MNF appearances, against New Orleans in 2018 and 2023, both resulted in 3-point losses. Bryce Young, coming off a franchise-record 448 passing yards against Atlanta last week, will try to change that.
I’ve covered all 18 of the Panthers’ previous MNF games for The Charlotte Observer. Here are my choices for their four best victories on Monday nights. It’s no coincidence that all four came from Panthers teams that made the playoffs. Do you remember any — or all — of these?
In chronological order:
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) breaks free of Tampa Bay defensive back Ronde Barber (20) in 2008 during a Monday Night Football game on Dec. 8, 2008, at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers won, 38-23, and ran for a franchise-record 299 yards. DAVID T. FOSTER III Charlotte Observer
12-8-08: Carolina 38, Tampa Bay 23
The Panthers ran roughshod over a strong Tampa Bay team, gaining a franchise-record 299 rushing yards (DeAngelo Williams had 186 and Jonathan Stewart 115 back in the “Double Trouble” days). This game also helped get Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden fired, as it began a four-game tailspin for the Bucs.
NFL officials confer after back judge Terrence Miles (111) threw a flag on the last play in the Carolina Panthers-New England Patriots game on Nov. 18, 2013, at Bank of America Stadium. The flag against the Panthers for interfering with New England tight end Rob Gronkowski on a pass from Tom Brady was later waved off because the ball was deemed uncatchable, and the Panthers won over the Patriots, 24-20. DAVID T. FOSTER III Charlotte Observer
11-8-13: Carolina 24, New England 20
Cam Newton threw three touchdown passes in a thriller remembered for a controversial non-call. With Tom Brady throwing the ball into the end zone on the final play of the game for a potential game-winning touchdown, Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly got a little (well, a lot) handsy with New England tight end Rob Gronkowski. A flag was dropped as Brady’s pass was intercepted by Robert Lester.
If the interference call on Kuechly had stood, New England and the dreaded duo of Brady and head coach Bill Belichick would have had one untimed play from the 1-yard line to try to win the game. Instead, officials picked the flag up, deeming Brady’s pass uncatchable.
Patriots fans like to think of this as the “Robbed Gronkowski” game, but some Panthers fans still call it the “Immaculate Perception.”
Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano kicks the game-winning field goal from 52 yards out in overtime to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 29-26 on Monday Night Football on Nov. 2, 2015, at Bank of America Stadium. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
11-2-15: Carolina 29, Indy 26 (OT)
In a wild game, Graham Gano kicked not one but two overtime field goals for the Panthers to win (the first to match a Colts score, the second from 52 yards out to win it outright). This was also the game where four protesters somehow sneaked some serious climbing equipment into Bank of America Stadium and rappelled down into the stands to unfurl a banner protesting … well, I can’t remember exactly what.
In the meantime, the Panthers kept their perfect record intact on the way to a 14-0 start that season (The Observer recently did a documentary on the 2015 season called “Super Men,” which is now available for free on YouTube).
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey celebrates one of his two touchdowns against the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 13, 2017. The game occurred in McCaffrey’s rookie year; Carolina won 45-21 on its way to the playoffs. DAVID T. FOSTER III Charlotte Observer
11-13-17: Carolina 45, Miami 21
This was the last time the Panthers won a game on Monday Night Football. And do you know the name of the rookie running back who scored twice for Carolina that night in a blowout?
It was Christian McCaffrey, who is about to face off against the Panthers in an entirely different uniform Monday night with San Francisco.
Christian McCaffrey strikes a nearly identical pose with the Carolina Panthers (2022) and the San Francisco 49ers (2025). Charlotte Observer file photo (left) and Getty Images
Columnist Scott Fowler has written for The Charlotte Observer since 1994. He has earned 24 national APSE sportswriting awards and hosted The Observer’s podcast “Carruth,” which Sports Illustrated once named “Podcast of the Year.” Fowler hosts the online series and podcast “Sports Legends of the Carolinas,” which features 1-on-1 interviews with NC and SC sports icons. He also writes occasionally about non-sports subjects, such as the 5-part series “9/11/74,” which chronicled the plane crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in Charlotte in 1974. Support my work with a digital subscription
The quarterback was a full participant during Thursday’s practice, according to head coach Dave Canales.
“He was able to move around and execute what we needed him to do today,” Canales said.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young celebrates a touchdown during Sunday’s fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Jonathan Bachman Getty Images
Young briefly left the overtime win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the first quarter after being stepped on by Falcons safety Billy Bowman during a sack. Young returned on the following drive and later led the team on a second-half comeback that eventually saw the Panthers take a short fourth-quarter lead. He ultimately spearheaded six total scoring drives, including the one that produced the game-winning field goal in overtime.
Despite limping to the podium for his post-game press conference on Sunday, Young was able to lead the offense in the team’s first practice of Week 12.
The Panthers are comfortable enough with Young’s health that they won’t promote third-string QB Mike White from the practice squad to the 53-man roster as a potential emergency option. White, who previously served as the team’s emergency third QB in the 16-13 win over the Green Bay Packers, would need to be on the main roster to be used in that role on Monday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young runs the ball against Ronnie Harrison Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons during Sunday’s first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Todd Kirkland Getty Images
“It’s an option,” Canales said. “Right now, that’s not the plan this week, but it is an option. I’m glad (White) is here, continuing to hear our words, prepare with the guys, hear our conversations, be a part of the protection meetings — all of those things — so, if we need him, we can call on him.”
Young, who first hurt right ankle against the New York Jets in Week 7, has played in three games since missing the 40-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 8. While he’s had a couple of scares with the injury since his return, Young has won two of those three outings.
“Everyone’s fighting through something at this point in the year,” Young said Thursday. “During practice — I’m in the training room all the time, doing everything I can — have a great training staff, doing all the stuff they want me to do. Always getting better, always feeling better on a day-to-day basis. Again, everyone’s dealing with something, that’s just the nature of football, of this league, especially this time of the year. Again, I’m excited and focused on football.”
Panthers injury updates: Wallace, Rozeboom still sidelined
Starting inside linebackers Trevin Wallace (shoulder) and Christian Rozeboom (hamstring) did not take part in drills during the media portion of practice on Thursday.
Wallace, who missed Sunday’s win over the Falcons, was given a “week to week” status by Canales last week. The coach still hasn’t changed his tune on Wallace, but he wouldn’t rule him out for Monday, despite his uncertainty.
“First and foremost, we have to evaluate Trevin — see where he’s at for this week,” Canales said. “Told you he was week to week (last week), and we’ll have more information on that.”
Carolina Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace, back to camera and cornerback Corey Thornton, facing camera, look to make the tackle on Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams, center, during action on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Cowboys 30-27. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Rozeboom injured his hamstring against Atlanta. He was the main signal-caller in Wallace’s absence against the Falcons, but with Rozeboom now nursing an injury of his own, there is some uncertainty about who would step up if both were ruled out against the 49ers.
Canales all but ruled out Rozeboom for the Week 12 matchup on Thursday, but he said the Panthers will continue to evaluate him.
“We’d hate to put him out there for a limited amount, knowing how he plays — the style, the aggression, physical nature that he plays with,” Canales said about Rozeboom. “We want to make sure he’s healthy, first and foremost.”
Claudin Cherelus, a tenured special teams contributor, produced 10 tackles and a pass breakup as a fill-in starter in the overtime win in Week 11. He would likely start if one of the two regular starting inside linebackers were to miss Monday Night Football.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Claudin Cherelus, left, tackles Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. on Sunday, October 13, 2024. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
The team also brought back inside linebacker Jacoby Windmon on the practice squad on Wednesday. Windmon played in eight games (two starts) for Carolina last season and spent the entire summer with the team before being cut in August. Windmon could be elevated to the game-day roster in case the team needs depth.
Veteran Krys Barnes, who was elevated for the win against the Falcons, is also still on the practice squad. He played 16 special teams snaps against the Falcons, and he has one more elevation left before he must be signed to the 53-man roster.
“Brought (Windmon) in here — a guy that’s familiar with what we do, from a special teams standpoint and a linebacker standpoint,” Canales said. “Love what Claud did in the game (against Atlanta). Krys Barnes is another guy that’s been around, that’s ready to go. And Maema Njongmeta, he got into the game a little bit at the end as well.
“So, we’ve got a couple of guys, a couple of options there. The picture will get a bit clearer once we know what’s going on with Trevin.”
Note: The Panthers will release their injury report later in the evening on Thursday and this section will be updated.
Quick hits
The Panthers enter Week 12 with the ninth-best record in the NFC. The 49ers own the seventh spot in the conference and would be the final playoff team in the wild-card round if the season ended right now. If the Panthers defeat the 49ers on Monday, they’ll be tied at 7-5 — with Carolina owning the head-to-head tiebreaker over San Francisco. The Detroit Lions (6-4) are the lone team between the 49ers and the Panthers in the overall NFC standings.
With former Panthers kicker Eddy Piñeiro dealing with a minor hamstring injury, the 49ers have signed former Los Angeles Rams kicker Matt Gay to their practice squad. Piñeiro has made all 22 of his field-goal attempts this season, including all six of his attempts of 50 or more yards. During his tenure in Carolina, Piñeiro made seven total field-goal attempts from beyond 50 yards.
Entering Week 12, there are six teams with two or fewer wins. The Tennessee Titans, at 1-9, could set a new basement record for the 17-game season. The Panthers, infamously, went 2-15 in 2023, creating the current low mark for the expanded schedule.
Second-round pick Nic Scourton is currently tied with Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Brown with three sacks on the season. The pair co-leads the team in that category. If Scourton can make up some ground over the next six games, he could be the first rookie since Julius Peppers in 2002 to lead the Panthers in sacks.
Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription
Bryce Young had the game of his NFL life Sunday, throwing for a franchise-record 448 yards in the Carolina Panthers’ 30-27 overtime cliffhanger of a win at Atlanta.
It was thrilling to watch, all the more so for its unexpectedness. Young had thrown for 200-plus yards only once this entire season, and yet in this game before a sold-out crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium he threw for 200 and then 248 more. He also was playing on a bum right ankle, which he reinjured on two separate occasions during the game.
And yet Young kept coming back, and so did the Panthers, who looked in danger of being blown out when they were down 21-7 to the Falcons in the second quarter. Instead, they climbed back into the game from 14 points down and moved to 6-5 on the season with the win. With Tampa Bay’s loss Sunday to Green Bay, Carolina now sits only a half-game behind the 6-4 Buccaneers in the race for the NFC South.
“What a day,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said. “I don’t think we have any more plays left on the call sheet.”
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales and quarterback Bryce Young celebrate after Sunday’s overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Jonathan Bachman Getty Images
After those 448 yards, Young still had trouble stepping up the 12 inches it took to traverse one step up to the interview podium following the game. He limped into that room with a smile on his face, though, after breaking Cam Newton’s franchise record of 432 passing yards (set in his very first game, in 2011).
“Definitely honored,” Young said about breaking Newton’s record. “I have so much respect for Cam.”
The Panthers’ big-play passing game that came up so small a week ago in Carolina’s home loss to woeful New Orleans was omnipresent in Atlanta, with a 54-yard catch-and-run to tight end Tommy Tremble providing the final yardage to set up Ryan Fitzgerald’s 28-yard, game-winning field goal in overtime.
But there were eight other Carolina pass plays of 20 or more yards, including a 36-yard fingertip grab of a touchdown by Xavier Legette and a 39-yarder to outstanding rookie Tetairoa McMillan. This was Young at his best, spraying the ball all over the field against Atlanta (3-7), which stole New Orleans’ game plan of selling out to stop the run from last week but utilized it to much less good effect.
A medical staffer checks out Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young during Sunday’s first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Young briefly left the field after injuring his ankle but never missed an offensive snap. Jonathan Bachman Getty Images
All of that seemed so unlikely in the first quarter, when Young was sacked on a blitz on Carolina’s second possession and lay on his back on the turf. The training staff and Canales both ran out to check on him. It was obvious Young was hurting.
“Pain’s an accurate way to sum it up,” Young said.
“It was scary, man,” Tremble said. “That’s a scary, scary thing when your quarterback’s on the ground and obviously in pain.”
Backup quarterback Andy Dalton started warming up. Young got up on his own accord and limped into the tunnel, waving off a cart that had been designated to drive him to the locker room. He had been sacked on a third-down play, so the Panthers punted, and by the time they got the ball again, Young had passed the necessary tests for ankle stability and was back.
“He gave me a thumbs up and said, ‘I’m good,’” Canales said. “I said, ‘That’s good enough for me. Let’s get him back out there.’”
Young had directed Carolina to a first-drive touchdown, but when he came back, the magic largely stalled. Atlanta scored on three consecutive possessions, rolling through the Panthers’ defense. It was 21-10, Atlanta, at halftime.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young runs the ball against Ronnie Harrison Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons during Sunday’s first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Todd Kirkland Getty Images
But the Panthers scored on their first drive of the second half, too, and made it a game again. Atlanta’s Big Three on offense — quarterback Michael Penix Jr., running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London — had their way with Carolina in the first half, but not in the second. By the end, both Penix and London were hurt and out of the game, and it was Robinson and backup quarterback Kirk Cousins trying to get it done for the Falcons.
Young hurt the same ankle again on a fourth-and-1 play in the fourth quarter. He was under center — where the Panthers rarely put him — and got his ankle stepped on by right guard Chandler Zavala, falling down as he backed up and getting piled on while also giving up the ball on downs. Still, the Panthers survived when Carolina’s defense held Atlanta to a field goal.
Down 24-19, Young got the Panthers into scoring position again on the team’s last drive of regulation. After Rico Dowdle’s apparent touchdown on a screen pass was ruled no TD because Dowdle barely stepped out of bounds at the 10 — “If he had white cleats on, it might be a touchdown,” Canales said — Young found McMillan after a scramble from 12 yards out. Then came a two-point conversion pass to Jalen Coker to make it 27-24, Carolina, with 1:08 to play.
That could have won the game, but Cousins led Atlanta a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation. So it needed to be won yet again. The Falcons went nowhere in overtime. On Carolina’s final possession, Young went through all of his progressions before ending up on Tremble, who hadn’t had a catch the entire game. He grabbed the ball, saw an opening and bolted down the field for 54 yards.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young throws a pass during Sunday’s third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Jonathan Bachman Getty Images
“When you can get through your progressions and throw a 6-yard pass and it goes for 40 or 50,” Young said, “that’s a real luxury.”
That’s a good point. The Panthers’ receivers caught everything near them Sunday. Young’s glorious final stats — 31 for 45 for 448 yards, with three passing TDs and no turnovers — were helped by all sorts of leaping, diving and fingertip catches. Suddenly, the Panthers looked like a team which didn’t need to just rely on Dowdle, who was limited to 45 rushing yards by Atlanta’s stacked boxes.
In a sport where toughness is prized, Young’s teammates kept pointing out his return from the ankle injury.
“I’m proud of 9,” said defensive tackle Derrick Brown, referring to Young’s jersey number. “He played through injury today. … I’m sure he’s gonna need a few days to recover, but it’s OK, we got a long week this week (the Panthers don’t play again until on Monday Night Football on Nov. 24 at San Francisco). And he was getting the ball downfield to those guys. … Everybody got a slice of pie.”
Yes, they did. Sunday was a “pie for everyone” sort of day for the Panthers and their fans. Carolina has on a yo-yo for much of this season — a great win at Green Bay followed by a lousy loss to New Orleans. This, though, was another high point, led by a 5-foot-10 quarterback who just wouldn’t stay down.
Columnist Scott Fowler has written for The Charlotte Observer since 1994. He has earned 24 national APSE sportswriting awards and hosted The Observer’s podcast “Carruth,” which Sports Illustrated once named “Podcast of the Year.” Fowler hosts the online series and podcast “Sports Legends of the Carolinas,” which features 1-on-1 interviews with NC and SC sports icons. He also writes occasionally about non-sports subjects, such as the 5-part series “9/11/74,” which chronicled the plane crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in Charlotte in 1974. Support my work with a digital subscription
The Atlanta Falcons are now 3-7 after wasting away a huge first-half lead to the visiting Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon. The 30-27 overtime loss put the Falcons on a nearly impossible road to a playoff berth.
Being swept by the Carolina Panthers can singularly define the 2025 season. A 28-yard field goal from Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, his second of the game, was the final blow of the afternoon.
Fourth-quarter scoring has been an issue for the Falcons this season. Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins came in for an injured Penix, Jr. at the beginning of the fourth quarter and proceeded to lead the team into several punt situations. Carolina followed with a three-and-out and gave the ball back to Atlanta with 10:11 remaining in the game. Neither team could move the ball during the final 15 minutes of the game.
With 2:43 remaining in the game, Zane Gonzalez made a 52-yard field goal to give Atlanta some breathing room at 24-19. The three points were the only points the Falcons scored during the second half of the game.
Carolina mounted a successful eight-point scoring drive to take the lead at 27-24 with less than a minute and a half remaining in the game. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young has always played well in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Sunday’s game was another notch in his belt.
The Falcons’ defense was without veteran starters Dee Alford, Mike Hughes, and Leonard Floyd on Sunday. And that didn’t help as the National Football League (NFL) leader in pass defense gave up a touchdown on the opening drive of the game. Despite rookie edge rusher James Pearce, Jr. recording another sack, the Panthers converted two third downs and a fourth down possession en route to Panthers quarterback Bryce Young to rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan. The touchdown was Young’s 12th of the season and McMillan’s third.
The Falcons’ offense, led by quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., immediately marched downfield and scored on a four-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a four-yard touchdown run by Bijan Robinson. During the drive, Penix found his best receiver, Drake London, for two long pass plays. The ease with which the Falcons scored on that drive leads one to believe this can happen all the time. At least in terms of this season, it hasn’t.
The team’s saving grace this season, despite the play on that opening drive, has been the defense. On Carolina’s second drive of the game, the Falcons forced a punt following a sack by rookie corner Billy Bowman, Jr. That sack almost knocked Young out of the game as he was slow to get back on his feet afterward. Young had started nine of the Panthers’ 10 games this season.
Both Young and Penix, Jr., were knocked around a bit during this game. Penix, Jr., took a tough hit during a third-down possession in the third quarter and was also slow to get to his feet. Penix, Jr. was also announced as “questionable” with knee soreness. Falcons backup quarterback Kirk Cousins started the fourth quarter.
Atlanta’s third offensive possession of the game wasn’t as smooth, but it ate up 8:07 of game clock and ended in a second touchdown for Robinson. Arguably one of the five best offensive players in the NFL, Robinson only had three touchdowns coming into the game. His one-yard rush put the Falcons ahead 14-7 midway through the second quarter. He was well on his way to having a 100-yard game before halftime. If accomplished, it would be his third such game of the season.
London went over 100 yards receiving with his fifth reception of the first half. The pass from Penix, Jr. was for 22 yards down into the Panthers’ red zone. The Panthers had a pair of holding penalties that further hurt their chances of stopping the Falcons’ offense. Another short run, this time by Tyler Allgeier, resulted in a third Falcons touchdown and a 21-7 lead with 1:41 remaining in a nearly flawless first half. The touchdown gave Allgeier seven touchdowns for the season, a team-high.
Carolina wasn’t through, with Young finding McMillan again for a long gain down into Falcons territory with just under a minute and a half to play in the half. The Panthers left the field for the locker room with a successful 29-yard field goal in hand, and a 21-10 deficit in the books.
Similar to the first half, Carolina scored on its opening drive of the half. Young found receiver Xavier Leggette for a touchdown to cut the Atlanta lead to 21-16. Panthers second-year head coach David Canales decided to go for a two-point conversion, which was unsuccessful. No matter, the Falcons immediately gave their guests the ball back after fumbling the ensuing kick-off.
That fumble was the turning point of the game as the Panthers drove the field with Young finding Legette again, and Panthers running back Rico Dowdle moving the chains into Falcons’ territory. On a fourth and one on the Falcons’ eight-yard line, Canales, apparently a gambling man, decided to go for it instead of kicking a field goal. Young was stopped on a bootleg run, and Atlanta got the ball back. A touchdown there could have been apocalyptic for the Falcons.
Carolina would pick up three points on a 34-yard field goal following a 10-play drive to move within two points, 21-19, at the end of the third quarter.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young points to the sky after a play against the Atlanta Falcons at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In front of a bunch of towel-waving Atlanta Falcons fans. It’s the place where he ran for two touchdowns and threw for three more. Young smiled. He celebrated after first downs. He sliced through several different coverages and got a shout-out from Steph Curry and jumped into teammates’ arms. And importantly, he — and his team — won.
That Week 18 game in 2024 might feel a bit further than it really is. Ask Young himself how he remembers the game, and the third-year quarterback will be hesitant to even acknowledge it.
“I don’t know, it was last year,” Young said Wednesday. He added, “It’s this year. It’s Week 11. And we’re 0-0. Right now it’s Wednesday, and we’re about to watch the tape of practice today. That’s where I’m at.”
Anything you could take from that 2024 performance as an offense, though?
“Different coordinator, different system, different things,” Young said. “They’ve had changes. Again, we’re deep enough in the year when there’s stuff you watch. But right now, you watch this year’s stuff, you watch how they’re playing. I always have confidence in my team. I always have confidence in myself. It’s not something I have to lean on something else for.
“What’s tangible is this week, and that’s all that matters.”
Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers looks to pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025. Kevin C. Cox Getty Images
Such responses aren’t all that surprising from Young. They’re also fair, to a certain extent. The Falcons brought in Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator this year, and a new system accompanied him. Plus, the Panthers have a whole other more reliable data set on who the Falcons are and how they match up with the Carolina offense: In the Panthers’ 30-0 win in Week 3, the Atlanta defense mostly held the Panthers’ offense at bay somehow — it was the Panthers’ defense and a near-perfect special teams performance that made the game so lopsided.
Young, specifically, completed 16 of 24 passes for 121 yards and his only touchdown contribution was one he recorded on the ground.
The Panthers’ Tommy Tremble catches the ball near the end zone against the Falcons at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. TRACY KIMBALL Tkimball@hearldonline.com
But there still is something worth exploring about Young’s ability against the Falcons. The 5-foot-10, 204-pound quarterback only has 11 wins to his name, and three of them are against the Falcons. Atlanta is the only NFL team he’s played more than once and has a winning record against, too. And he’s beaten them in all types of ways: one via a defensive struggle, one in a blowout, and once after a game-winning drive capped off a barn-burner.
There must be some significance there. But get Young’s take on such a phenomenon, and he’ll resist dwelling on his previous success against his NFC South foes. He’ll only look ahead.
“They really just jump off the tape: the physicality they play with,” Young said of the current Falcons defense. “Obviously they’re playing really aggressively, they’re making a lot of plays. It’s a really good group. … We have a ton of respect for them at all three levels. They do a good job executing their scheme, and it’s a good scheme. So we’re familiar with them as an opponent, and it’s a great opportunity for us.”
Carolina’s Mitchell Evans congratulates Bryce Young after Young scores at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sept. 21, 2025. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Here’s what else from Wednesday’s availability you should know.
Dowdle misses Wednesday practice again; Hubbard looking good
Rico Dowdle missed practice for the second straight Wednesday. But there’s no reason to be alarmed, head coach Dave Canales said. Why? Because last week’s ramp-up plan is intact for this week — and Dowdle is still expected to go against the Atlanta Falcons.
“Rico is just dealing with a quad, so we just decided to give him the day off, treat it, and keep him off his feet today a little bit,” Canales said. “The plan is to get him back out there tomorrow. We’ll evaluate him in the morning, but the plan is to get him out there, to practice, to take some reps and to get himself going.”
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle during an Oct. 5, 2025, game against the Miami Dolphins in Charlotte. Grant Halverson Getty Images
Does that mean that getting more of a rotation at running back — with Chuba Hubbard — could make sense? That’s not what it meant against the Saints last week, to be clear. Dowdle notched 18 of the team’s 23 carries; Hubbard only ran three times for 14 yards.
But Canales said he is entertaining the possibility.
“Could be,” Canales said. “My thought is to just keep trying to play them the way they’ve been. But Chuba got in there when (Dowdle) had to come out in the game and ran hard. Had some really nice runs. So again, it’s a good situation for us, a great opportunity for us to have both guys that I really trust.”
Canales added of Hubbard: “He certainly is looking stronger and stronger. And this is attributed to his hard work. And the way that he attacks taking care of his body and getting himself back to where he wants to be. He’ll have his opportunities in there, and I expect him to continue to contribute.”
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, right, celebrates a touchdown with running back Rico Dowdle at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Nov. 9, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Trevin Wallace is ‘week to week,’ will miss Falcons game
Young isn’t the only one who isn’t dwelling on the past. For Claudin Cherelus, there isn’t much time to.
Cherelus, a reserve inside linebacker and special teams ace for the Panthers, will be replacing inside linebacker Trevin Wallace this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons. Wallace left this past Sunday’s game against the Saints with a shoulder injury and didn’t return — and on Wednesday, Canales told reporters that Wallace will be “week to week” and won’t play against the Atlanta Falcons.
Carolina Panthers Tre’von Moehrig and Trevin Wallace (32) tackle the New Orleans Saints’ Juwan Johnson on Nov. 9, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Cherelus isn’t unfamiliar with filling in for an inside linebacker in Ejiro Evero’s system. But is it simple? No.
“A lot of people will tell you that being a backup in this league is one of the hardest things,” Cherelus said Wednesday. “You won’t get the same amount of reps, and you gotta be ready when your name is called. So you kinda gotta embrace that difficulty. I’ve been ready, I’ve been practicing the same way, just as hard, whether I’m going in or not.”
Canales told reporters that it is still being determined who will call the plays on the defense. One of the two starters, Christian Rozeboom, began 2025 wearing the green dot but once those duties got passed on to Wallace, the team said that Rozeboom began playing more “free” — and Wallace’s production increased, too.
When asked whether Cherelus has any experience calling plays, he smiled and answered in the affirmative. It might’ve been for only one play, last season, sandwiched in between starting inside linebacker Josey Jewell going down with an injury and Cherelus having to leave the game with an injury of his own.
But still, as Chereuls clarified:
Still counts.
“So yeah, I got green dot experience,” Cherelus said Sunday.
Panthers Jaycee Horn (8) and Claudin Cherelus (53) celebrate after a play Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Carolina Panthers first injury report of Week 11
Here is the Panthers’ injury report released Wednesday, the first day of practice ahead of their Week 11 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
Did not participate: S Lathan Ransom (hand), Trevin Wallace (shoulder).
Limited participation: Derrick Brown (knee).
Those who showed up on the injury report but who were full participants included receiver Brycen Tremayne (hip) and Chandler Zavala (elbow). Both missed the game against the New Orleans Saints.
Panthers special teams players Brycen Tremayne, second from left, and Bam Martin-Scott, second from right, rush the field during the game against the Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Oct. 5, 2025. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Quick hits
—Tre’Von Moehrig is tied for eighth in the league with nine tackles for loss, the most among all safeties, according to the team’s game notes. His previous season high was five last season in Las Vegas. He’s also the only safety in the league this season with 50-plus tackles, nine-plus TFL and nine quarterback pressures. Pro Bowl fan voting typically runs between late November and the end of December.
—The Panthers still have yet to allow a first-quarter touchdown in 2025. They’re now tied for the fourth-longest such streak since the 2000 season. The only teams who’ve done so longer: the Philadelphia Eagles (2017, 11 weeks); the Dallas Cowboys (2022, 11 weeks); and the New York Giants (2002, 15 weeks), according to a team release.
—The Falcons are vulnerable against the run and formidable against the pass. That could spell business for the Panthers. But then again, if they took a similar approach to the Saints this past weekend and stack the box and leave their corners on islands against Panthers receivers … that could spell trouble. The Falcons, after all, only allow 162.3 passing yards a game (best in the NFL) and have the second-highest sack percentage in the game too at 10.86%.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, left, is sacked by Carolina Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Nov. 9, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Alex Zietlow writes about the Carolina Panthers and the ways in which sports intersect with life for The Charlotte Observer, where he has been a reporter since August 2022. Zietlow’s work has been honored by the Pro Football Writers Association, the N.C. and S.C. Press Associations, as well as the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) group. He’s earned six APSE Top 10 distinctions for his coverage on a variety of topics, from billion-dollar stadium renovations to the small moments of triumph that helped a Panthers kicker defy the steepest odds in sports. Zietlow previously wrote for The Herald in Rock Hill (S.C.) from 2019-22.
The win moved the Panthers to 5-4. The Packers fell to 5-2-1.
Young finished Sunday’s contest 11 of 20 for 102 yards and an interception. That added up to a 48.3 passer rating. Still, in one of the toughest environments in football, he led his ninth game-winning touchdown drive — his ninth in 11 total NFL wins — and earned his third win on the road in his career.
Dowdle finished Sunday with 25 rushes for 130 yards and two touchdowns against one of the best rush defenses in the league. Young’s favorite receiver on the day was Tetairoa McMillan, who finished with four catches for 46 yards and came up with a big first down on the final drive.
The defense, meanwhile, forced two turnovers — one a forced fumble by linebacker Christian Rozeboom collected by safety Nick Scott, the other an interception from Tre’Von Moehrig — and held the Packers to 1-of-5 in the red zone.
Head coach Dave Canales answered to the Panthers’ imperfect and confusingly delightful day on Sunday in his postgame press conference. Here’s a recap of what he said.
Opening statement
“Unbelievable finish. And it took all three phases: just like we imagined, just like we pictured it. First and foremost, just the grit in our guys and in our group to keep a battling against a team that was moving the ball well.
“But the defense to come out 1 for 5 in the red zone is a big deal for us. Offensively, we had their first early interception; ball kind of got hung up in the wind, it felt like. It definitely was a factor in the things in the choices that we were making in this stadium.
“But again, the run game came alive. There was some balance. And the critical, obviously, the critical two-minute drive there at the end, really with the mix of run and pass to try to get it done there. So I’m really proud of this group. And again, there’s stuff to look at. There’s stuff to say, ‘OK, we gave up some big plays in some different scenarios. And offensively, you know, we missed some opportunities as well.’
“So, I think a lot to learn from. But again, just building in the confidence of this group to believe: If we play our style of ball and keep ourselves in it, we’ll give ourselves a chance to finish the way we want to.”
Was choosing to take the ball first on the opening kickoff related to the wind at all?
“Yeah, I got to give a lot of props to (special teams coordinator) Tracy Smith. He and I were talking before the game, and he was like, ‘If we if we take the ball, we can set ourselves up to have the ball with the wind to our backs to finish the game, to give us an opportunity.’ And it played out just like that. It was unbelievable. But it took all of us doing right to make it happen. So it was a little bit of a change from what we normally do. We’d normally defer in that situation, but the wind was a factor in that decision.”
On how the defense performed so well in Green Bay
“Yeah, it was execution, and it was putting pressure on the quarterback. When he did have time, he hurt us on a couple of balls down the field, and when we put pressure on him, he let the ball out early. Mike (Jackson) had an opportunity there at the end, on that fourth down in the red zone, you know, to make it a little less interesting. I would have liked to see how far he could go on that one right there. But it was all the guys working together, attacking our rush plan, all that, and then just coming up with those opportunities. (Rozeboom) with the punch out early on. That’s a huge one you talk about. You know that that early drive in the game. Just really proud of these guys.”
On quarterback Bryce Young’s day
“I think the best part of it was he functioned so well, and he anticipated. He operated quickly. This is a group that we really respect defensively-speaking with their pass rush and the challenges that we knew they were going to present to us. And Bryce did a magnificent job of getting the ball out in rhythm. You get one hitch, and that ball better come out. But it was good to see him move around, pick up a couple of first downs with his legs as well. And that’s just a tribute to him being aggressive, knowing when to hold him, knowing when I got to go, and being decisive. Really, really helped us there.”
Despite all mistakes, you still beat the Packers. What does that say about your team?
“They’re resilient, and we’re learning to trust and have confidence. At the same time, we’d like to do better. We got to do better in those situations, especially in a tight game like this. We put ourselves in a hard spot. There was a thought to try to go for two there. We’d have been somewhere around the 16- or 17-yard line. I think on the two-point. The odds aren’t great from that spot right there.
“But we knew we had that headwind on the kick, so I decided to go with the kick, and it came up short right there. So that was a kind of a split decision I had to make right there.”
Ryan Fitzgerald of the Carolina Panthers celebrates with teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal during the fourth quarter Sunday at Lambeau Field. Patrick McDermott Getty Images
On Rico Dowdle’s 19-yard run on final drive that put Panthers in field goal range
“It was not a check. That was a called play. They were loading the box up, but they were pretty thinned out in terms of how they rushed. I got to give the O-line props for handling the movement. That’s the hardest part. If you’re going to run the ball on (passing downs), you have to be ready for the exotic looks and, you know, with guys standing up in different spots. And then after that it’s Rico, just hitting it hard and finding a little daylight and really flipping the field for us right there.”
On Rico Dowdle’s day in general
“That’s from carry one, it was attitude. It was aggression and violence at the end of it. And it really does affect the group. It affects the whole sideline. When they see that kind of energy and that kind of violence, it gives them confidence and it’s who we want to be. And so just really loved what he was able to do.”
On Jake Curhan coming in and stepping up for injured offensive line
“Jake and I were together in Seattle. So he’s got a lot of familiarity with our run game, our pass protection philosophy and how we handle things. He’s a very sharp guy, and he’s got a lot of versatility. I’ve seen him play all but center, really, I think in the time that I’ve been around him. So to be able to pick him up from Arizona’s practice squad a couple of weeks ago was huge for me because it gives us another veteran player that allows us to have the continuity for when things happen. And he did a great job going in there and executing with the guys.”
On Rico Dowdle’s celebration that cost the penalty
“I didn’t see it, so I just I heard about it. They’re jogging off the field, and they’re happy about the touchdown. We have to do better. We got to put ourselves in position right there to make it more challenging. We can’t give the opponent anything, especially a good opponent like this. Any margin that you give them can come back to hurt you. “
How big is this win for the program you’re developing?
“It’s huge because it just comes down to the fundamentals and basics of football. It’s tackling, it’s blocking, it’s executing. And to get into this type of environment, this is a special place. The fans are unbelievable, and this is a really good team. And we understood all the things that what it was going to take for us to take for us to have a chance to win this game: it was doing right longer, and that’s our mentality.
“And that’s also the things that we have to capture. Can we capture this style of football? It didn’t show up for us last week. It showed up for us today. To get back to our basics and execute. These are the things that you need to know, what to expect when we get into close games like this.”
On the Panthers trying to limit the Packers’ big-play ability
“That’s two weeks now, really, of playing quarterbacks who have the ability to extend the play with a really talented skill group and making sure that we stay connected to guys all the way through the down. Even on the fourth down. I’ve seen that play go the other way. Jordan love kind of rears back, throws it across the field, and Mike Jack had the presence of mind to stay with his guy on that one, and could have come up with a big interception. But either way, he was in the right spot at the right time. And so having the carryover from one week to the next, in the emphasis plaster, stay connected to your guys, really prepared us for this.”
On Ryan Fitzgerald’s resilience for nailing winner after missing first kick
“I just love his confidence to get back out there give us a chance: with the challenge and the wind at his face and all of a sudden you have it at your back. A big moment. Crowd is as loud as it was all day, and to have the focus to hit that one. We trusted in him to do it, and we got down there. I don’t know if we had much of a choice, but Ryan just has the same kind of ability. He bounces back, he learns lessons, he stacks and he just continues to improve.”
Alex Zietlow writes about the Carolina Panthers and the ways in which sports intersect with life for The Charlotte Observer, where he has been a reporter since August 2022. Zietlow’s work has been honored by the N.C. and S.C. Press Associations, as well as the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) group. He’s earned five APSE Top 10 distinctions, most recently in the Long Features category in 2024. Zietlow previously wrote for The Herald in Rock Hill (S.C.) from 2019-22. Support my work with a digital subscription
The starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers was officially listed as “did not practice” on Wednesday. Such a development wasn’t surprising after he left the third quarter of the New York Jets game with an ankle injury and didn’t return.
But Young, still, was out on the field with his uniform on, working off to the side with the other injured players. He was doing some light jogging, pedaling on an exercise bike, working through some simple cuts — all without a noticeable limp.
Such was the fodder that head coach Dave Canales answered to Wednesday.
“I saw a little bit of it,” Canales said of Young’s work to the side of the field. “He did more than what he did yesterday, so that’s good. That’s our plan right now. Each day, we push him a little bit more, see if we can get him out there in a different capacity. He wasn’t able to practice today, but was working on the side, doing some movement stuff. So we’ll just take it day to day and make the best decision.”
Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton and quarterback Bryce Young watch from the sidelines at Bank of America Stadium. Scott Kinser – The USAToday Network USA TODAY NETWORK
When asked whether Canales was ready to declare veteran backup Andy Dalton the starter on Sunday, the second-year head coach said, “Not right now.”
He added: “But Andy did take all the reps today with the group. And Hendon Hooker and Mike White are here. First day to get to look at (newly signed Mike White) in-person, to see him throw. He did a great job. Hendon handled most of the scout reps there.”
Young was playing some of the best football of his NFL career when a sack from a Jets defender — one that ended with defensive lineman Jowon Briggs stepping on Young’s calf, which prompted Young’s right-ankle tweak — took him out of the game. His passer rating those three games: 90.7, 114.8 and 88.4. He also saw six touchdowns and two interceptions in that span, too.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young extends fully as he runs on a keeper as Dolphins cornerback Cornell Armstrong gives chase during the game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Dalton came in and played well in Young’s stead against the Jets. His highlight was a 33-yard pass to Xavier Legette on a late third-and-8 that sealed the contest.
Canales reiterated Wednesday that the offense doesn’t change that much when Dalton or Young aren’t back there. Receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker said the same things Wednesday. This said, as Canales mentioned, the whole group is “pulling for Bryce.”
“He’s pushing, and he’s trying to make himself available for Sunday,” Canales said of Young. “But we have to take it day to day.”
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and head coach Dave Canales, right, celebrate the team’s 27-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Here’s what else that was notable from Wednesday’s practice.
Robert Hunt might be able to come back by bye week
Despite Canales’ reticence to be too declarative about his quarterback situation, he was quite forthcoming about another key offensive player currently recovering from injury — right guard Robert Hunt.
Hunt, the jovial 2024 Pro Bowler, hasn’t played a game since Week 2, when he tore his biceps just as the Panthers were vying to make one of the biggest comebacks in franchise history in Arizona. He hasn’t been back out on the practice field in that time, either.
Carolina Panthers guard Robert Hunt watches a replay along the team’s sideline during action against the Cleveland Browns on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Canales told reporters that it was great to see Hunt back on the grass — and that he’s “ahead of schedule” in his recovery.
“I’ve noticed over the years that guys who believe they heal fast end up healing fast,” Canales said. “That just puts you in a positive mindset to be able to get after your rehab, push the envelope and say, ‘Hey, we had this prescribed for you today; can I do a little bit more? Or is this good enough, can we stop here?’
“David Moore (out with an elbow injury) is another one who’s really attacking his rehab. Both guys are in there pushing each other. But it was good to have Rob out there on the grass, moving around.”
Canales added that Hunt could potentially return to practice “somewhere around the bye week, so that could be something down the road.” The Panthers’ bye week is Week 14.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and guard Robert Hunt, right, embrace following the team’s 26-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
The Panthers’ offensive line has undergone immense injury attrition to date. In fact, against the Jets, the unit put out its sixth different starting offensive line in seven games. (Sixth in seventh!) Hunt’s return would be a huge boost of energy to this group — despite the fact that it has held up well despite the changes, furnishing solid-to-explosive days for Rico Dowdle in Weeks 5 and 6 and then Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard in Week 7.
“It’s definitely encouraging,” starting left tackle Ickey Ekwonu told The Observer on Wednesday. “Obviously, Rob, he’s going to do everything he can to get back out there for us. He’s a fighter and everything, and we definitely appreciate having him around the building as much as he’s been around. It’s hard to mimic his spirit. So it’s definitely nice to have the energy around the building.”
Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble, center, celebrates his touchdown catch with guard Robert Hunt, left, and offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu (79) during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in a December 2024 game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Trevin Wallace excited to see Shaq Thompson on the other sideline
Sunday might mark a pretty emotional return to Bank of America Stadium for one Buffalo Bills player.
Shaq Thompson, the longtime Carolina Panthers inside linebacker whom the team let walk during free agency in March, is now a contributor for the Buffalo Bills.
His year in Buffalo is the first one outside the Carolina franchise that drafted him 25th overall in 2015.
Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson is shown during a practice. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Trevin Wallace told The Observer on Wednesday that it’ll be “fun” seeing Thompson out on the other sideline, and that Thompson texted Wallace earlier this week. Thompson is still Wallace’s mentor, after all; he watches all of Wallace’s tape and lets him know what he does right and wrong each week — something Wallace really appreciates.
Carolina Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace, center, celebrates his tackle of Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams during action on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Cowboys 30-27. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
“I already know that after the game’s over with he’s going to let me know, ‘Hey, Trev, I see you doing this, I think you can do this better,’” said Wallace, the fast-talking, smiley second-year linebacker. “Or if I do something good, he’ll let me know. I already know what it’s going to be.”
Wallace added: “He’s still invested in me, and knows the player I can be. He’s still invested in what I can become. I love that. Even when he texts me, he says, ‘This is coming from your big brother, your OG. I see you need to do this better.’ … I love that.”
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane, left, leaps to catch a pass in the end zone as Carolina Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace, right, applies pressure during action on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Injury report
Here’s the official injury report from the Panthers on Wednesday:
Did not participate: OLB DJ Wonnum (rest), QB Bryce Young (ankle)
Limited: OLB Princely Umanmielen (ribs), OL Damien Lewis (shoulder), CB Jaycee Horn (rest)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Princely Umanmielen waits for the Miami Dolphins to snap the ball during action on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the Dolphins, 27-24. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Quick hits
There are now 52 players still in contention to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year after another round of votes have gone through. Four of them are Panthers: LB Luke Kuechly, WR Steve Smith Sr., TE Greg Olsen, CB Charles Tillman. Check out the full list at the PFHOF website.
Nic Scourton had a heck of a game against the Jets. Not only did he notch his first NFL sack — he now has the most single-game rookie pressures in Panthers history, since the stat began being recorded (2016). His six pressures Sunday is more than Derrick Brown in 2020 (5) and Brian Burns in 2019 (once 5, once 4). When posed this, the EDGE rusher smiled: “I need more.”
Interior offensive lineman Robert Hunt was back on the field Wednesday for the first time since tearing his biceps in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals. He was working off to the side — not in individual or team drills — and is still on injured reserve. He wore a massive brace on his arm while doing minimal workouts.
Alex Zietlow writes about the Carolina Panthers and the ways in which sports intersect with life for The Charlotte Observer, where he has been a reporter since August 2022. Zietlow’s work has been honored by the N.C. and S.C. Press Associations, as well as the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) group. He’s earned five APSE Top 10 distinctions, most recently in the Long Features category in 2024. Zietlow previously wrote for The Herald in Rock Hill (S.C.) from 2019-22. Support my work with a digital subscription
The Carolina Panthers are winners of three straight and are above .500 for the first time in a long time and are returning to Bank of America Stadium this weekend — a place where they’re undefeated on the year.
So there’s not much to discuss beyond that, right?
Just kidding.
On the latest podcast episode of Processing Blue, Observer reporter Alex Zietlow teamed up with columnist Scott Fowler to discuss all the happenings in world of the 4-3 franchise on Mint Street this week. That includes questions like:
And do they remind you of another team in this franchise’s history? Perhaps one in the early 2000s?
Fowler and Zietlow also renew the Chuba Hubbard-Rico Dowdle debate and give a thorough preview of Carolina’s Week 8 matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
Listen to the latest podcast episode at the embed in this story, or download it on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also check out the show on YouTube.
Columnist Scott Fowler has written for The Charlotte Observer since 1994. He has earned 24 national APSE sportswriting awards and hosted The Observer’s podcast “Carruth,” which Sports Illustrated once named “Podcast of the Year.” Fowler hosts the online series and podcast “Sports Legends of the Carolinas,” which features 1-on-1 interviews with NC and SC sports icons. He also writes occasionally about non-sports subjects, such as the 5-part series “9/11/74,” which chronicled the plane crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in Charlotte in 1974. Support my work with a digital subscription
Alex Zietlow writes about the Carolina Panthers and the ways in which sports intersect with life for The Charlotte Observer, where he has been a reporter since August 2022. Zietlow’s work has been honored by the N.C. and S.C. Press Associations, as well as the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) group. He’s earned five APSE Top 10 distinctions, most recently in the Long Features category in 2024. Zietlow previously wrote for The Herald in Rock Hill (S.C.) from 2019-22. Support my work with a digital subscription
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales played it coy Monday in his press conference, saying on five separate occasions that quarterback Bryce Young’s status after an ankle injury was “day-to-day.” Canales also wouldn’t say what sort of injury it was (“just an ankle”) and seemed fully intent on trying to keep the Buffalo Bills guessing as to whether they will see Young or backup quarterback Andy Dalton on Sunday.
Despite Canales’ reticence, there’s little guesswork involved. Barring an injury-recovery miracle, Dalton is going to start this game as Young rests his problematic ankle. So could the Panthers still beat the Bills — who sport the NFL’s reigning MVP in Josh Allen and are coming off a bye — with a backup quarterback?
Absolutely.
The way to do that is simple: Run, run, run the ball.
The Bills (4-2) aren’t vulnerable in many places, but their run defense is their biggest Achilles heel. They rank 31st in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game, stacked between Miami and Dallas. If those two teams sound familiar, they should — Panthers running back Rico Dowdle lit them up for 473 combined total yards earlier this month.
Andy Dalton warms up in September 2025, before a game. Dalton is expected to get his first start of the NFL season Sunday. Jordan Bank Getty Images
Dalton can certainly hand the ball off as well as Young, and that’s what he will mostly need to do at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina (4-3) is an underdog by 7.5 points to Buffalo.
But the Panthers have won three games in a row for the first time since 2021 and are going to have a chance with Dalton. Best to not rush Young back from what has been reported in numerous places (but by NFL Network first) as a high-ankle sprain, which is usually a 2-4 week recovery.
Young led Carolina to all 13 of its points Sunday in a grind-it-out, defense-based, 13-6 win over the New York Jets. But Dalton, who turns 38 later this month, made two massive plays when he played the entire fourth quarter. One you likely remember; one you likely don’t.
Carolina Panthers quarterbacks Bryce Young (left) and Andy Dalton talk during a 2024 game. Dalton is expected to start for Young on Sunday at home against the Buffalo Bills, as the Panthers try to extend their three-game win streak. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
The one you remember is when Dalton threw a deep pass to Xavier Legette late in the fourth quarter on a key third down, putting it in a perfect place for Legette. The result was a 33-yard reception from Legette, who was terrific, that sealed the game.
The play you likely don’t: Dalton got sacked early in the fourth quarter on another third down. He was hit on the blind side just as he was about to throw the ball.
Somehow, Dalton held on to the football. As Canales said, describing the play by Dalton on Monday: “He miraculously pulled the ball back in to secure it, so that we could end up getting into that situation to punt it and make them have to go full field.”
If Dalton had been strip-sacked — and I’d argue that at least half the quarterbacks in the NFL would have lost the ball due to the violent surprise of the hit — the Jets might have turned it into points. But no way were the Jets going to go 85 yards Sunday against the Panthers; their offense is just too anemic. The play just went down as a sack, but it was extremely important.
Dalton has won 84 games as a starter in the NFL, most of them in Cincinnati. Only one has come in his years with the Panthers, and in the long term you certainly want Young to be the starter. His mobility adds an aspect to the offense that it just doesn’t have under Dalton, who doesn’t run well and isn’t going to extricate himself from many potential sacks.
However, you don’t want to push Young back onto the field too soon, even though he’s going to try like heck to get healthy quickly. And the Panthers won’t. These Panthers have a chance to actually do something good this season, but Young’s mobility is one of the biggest keys. Dalton can hold the fort for a game, or two, as needed. On Sunday, the way to hold it is going to be to hand the ball off.
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle had 79 yards against the New York Jets compared to starter Chuba Hubbard’s 31 and is clearly the more effective back at the moment. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
And, by the way, at least 70% of those handoffs should be to Dowdle.
I’m all for Chuba Hubbard being worked back into the Panthers’ lineup, but let’s not pretend that the two players are equally effective at the moment. Hubbard can continue to start if Canales believes that is symbolically important, as he apparently does.
But only one of these backs has a chance at a 100-yard plus rushing day on Sunday. That’s Dowdle.
Dalton handing the ball off, Dowdle running it behind that veteran offensive line. If the Panthers are going to win this game, that’s the best way to do it.
Never miss a Scott Fowler column. Go to www.charlotteobserver.com/newsletters and sign up at “Scott Fowler’s Latest” to have them delivered directly to your email inbox as soon as they post.
Columnist Scott Fowler has written for The Charlotte Observer since 1994. He has earned 24 national APSE sportswriting awards and hosted The Observer’s podcast “Carruth,” which Sports Illustrated once named “Podcast of the Year.” Fowler hosts the online series and podcast “Sports Legends of the Carolinas,” which features 1-on-1 interviews with NC and SC sports icons. He also writes occasionally about non-sports subjects, such as the 5-part series “9/11/74,” which chronicled the plane crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in Charlotte in 1974. Support my work with a digital subscription
The Carolina Panthers say quarterback Bryce Young’s status is “day-to-day” after he suffered an ankle injury in Sunday’s win against the New York Jets.
The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft left Sunday’s game against the New York Jets with an ankle injury. Young was tripped up by Jets defensive lineman Jowon Briggs late in the third quarter when trying to escape the rush and did not return after that point.
However, Panthers coach Dave Canales did not give a timeline for Young’s return or confirm he would miss the Buffalo game. During Monday’s media availability, Canales said coaches and the medical team would work with him to make progress.
“We’re going to go day-to-day on that right now,” Canales said. “[We’ll] really look at him each day, test the ankle in different ways to see if we can’t get him back out there on Wednesady in some way, shape or form. We’re going to just take it that way. I saw him this morning and talked to him and he’s like ‘let’s push this thing, let’s see what we got’ so we’re going to try to take that approach with it and go from there.”
Young completed 15 of 25 passes for 138 yards in a 13-6 victory at New York. He scrambled around and threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Legette to give Carolina the lead late in the first half. When he went to the locker room, he appeared to walk with a slight limp.
If Young can’t go on Sunday, Andy Dalton would be in line to start. Dalton completed four of seven passes for 60 yards in the second half against the Jets.
Young has a 11-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio in seven games and a 61.6 completion percentage for the season.
The Panthers have won three in a row and four of their last five games after an 0-2 start. They’re in second place in the NFC South division behind Tampa Bay.
The curated articles on the Carolina Panthers’ win over the New York Jets all emphasize the importance of their recent streak, highlight defensive performances, and note Bryce Young’s injury concerns. The Panthers secured their third consecutive win, which prompts an observation of their potential for success this season. Despite winning, Bryce Young left the game with an ankle injury which could impact their performance.
Backup quarterback Andy Dalton stepped in, completing key plays, including a significant third-down pass to Xavier Legette. Running back Rico Dowdle’s strong showing also contributed to the victory, ensuring the Panthers maintained their winning form.
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) runs with the ball while being defended by New York Jets defensive lineman Micheal Clemons (72) in the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. By Vincent Carchietta
NO. 1: TAKEAWAYS FROM PANTHERS’ ROAD WIN VS. JETS: YOUNG’S INJURY OVERSHADOWS VICTORY
A major Carolina Panthers milestone was met with a potentially notable potential loss Sunday at MetLife Stadium. | Published October 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mike Kaye
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales looks on during warmups prior to the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium Oct. 19, 2025 By Robert Deutsch
NO. 2: WHAT DAVE CANALES SAID ABOUT BRYCE YOUNG’S HEALTH, JAYCEE HORN’S MASSIVE DAY
The Carolina Panthers gritted out a 13-6 win over the New York Jets on the road thanks to a two-interception day from Jaycee Horn, a turnover-free performance from the offense and a close-to-flawless day on special teams. | Published October 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Zietlow
Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (8) celebrates one of his two interceptions against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium Sunday. Horn and the defense keyed Carolina’s 13-6 win. By Robert Deutsch
NO. 3: AS CAROLINA PANTHERS WIN THIRD STRAIGHT, IT’S TIME TO RECONSIDER WHAT’S POSSIBLE
Quarterback Bryce Young (9) of the Carolina Panthers scrambles during the first quarter against the New York Jets in the game at MetLife Stadium on October 19, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. By Al Bello
NO. 4: CAROLINA PANTHERS QB BRYCE YOUNG LEAVES GAME VS. JETS WITH INJURY. WHAT WE KNOW
The Carolina Panthers are monitoring the status of quarterback Bryce Young after he left Sunday’s 13-6 win over the New York Jets with an ankle injury. | Published October 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mike Kaye
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Much like “Did you have a short wait at the DMV?”, this is a question very few North Carolinians have had to consider over the past eight years because the answer was so obvious. The Panthers haven’t made the playoffs since 2017, and the DMV can make you feel like you’ll never see the sun shine again.
But the Panthers are seeing a little sunshine right now. They improved their record to 4-3 Sunday with an ugly, did-what-had-to-be-done, 13-6 win over the New York Jets. That means they have won three games in a row. Three! Yes, they did it against largely inferior opposition, but not that long ago, the Panthers were the largely inferior opposition.
The one big asterisk on Sunday’s victory in New Jersey: Panthers starting quarterback Bryce Young left with an ankle injury late in the third quarter and never returned .
Oct 19, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) exits the field during the third quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Young had an ankle injury and did not return. Robert Deutsch Imagn Images
Head coach Dave Canales said he didn’t know the extent or severity of the injury after the game but that he would share a fuller report on Young’s ankle Monday. In the meantime, veteran backup Andy Dalton had to finish the game, and after a slow start, he did so with a 33-yard third-down pass to wide receiver Xavier Legette that sealed it.
Still, the Panthers need Young to play to allow them the best chance to beat a much higher-quality team than the Jets, like the one they will face Sunday at home against Buffalo.
Young accounted for the game’s only touchdown Sunday, on an off-platform scramble and sidearm 3-yard throw to Legette (who was superb). The rest of the game consisted of four field goals (two by each team) and some terrific defense by the Panthers, who had six sacks (more than they had combined over the first six weeks) and two remarkable interceptions. Carolina was also very good on special teams.
And that’s the way a good team does it. If the offense is having an off day — and generating only 13 points will tell you that Carolina was — then everyone else has to pick it up. The rest of the team did, especially defensive tackle Derrick Brown (two sacks, three batted-down passes), punter Sam Martin (four inside the 20 and one booming 68-yarder) and cornerback Jaycee Horn (with his first two-interception game in the NFL).
Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (8) intercepts a pass during the third quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium Oct 19, 2025 Robert Deutsch Imagn Images
So, for now, the Panthers are a team that beats teams they are supposed to (like the Jets) and sometimes teams they’re not supposed to (like the Cowboys). Even though the Jets are now 0-7 and have a train wreck of an offense, this win was significant for several reasons, not the least of which being that it was Carolina’s first road victory of the year. Carolina is 3-0 at home and 1-3 on the road. It’s time to reconsider what’s possible for the Panthers, who certainly will have a chance at a winning record for the season and maybe even a playoff berth if they keep this up.
It was never a pretty game Sunday, because the Jets have a strong enough defense to muddle things up. It is led by Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who had a long and successful career with the Panthers. Fortunately for Carolina, the Jets also have an offense that has a hard time tying its own cleats.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) celebrates after Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) scores a touchdown during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, Oct 19, 2025, East Rutherford, NJ, USA. Yannick Peterhans Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Jets were so awful in the first half on offense with Justin Fields at QB that they benched him and went with 36-year-old veteran QB Tyrod Taylor in the second half. New York was a little better with Taylor, but still could never dent the end zone, with Horn’s one-handed, end zone interception blunting one attempt.
That meant that both teams were playing their backup QBs by the end of the game — the Jets because of performance, the Panthers because of Young’s injury.
With Chuba Hubbard returning from a calf injury at running back, the Panthers let him have his starting job back but then had him alternate series with Rico Dowdle — the unquestioned star of the past two weeks. Dowdle was clearly more effective Sunday, with 79 yards rushing in 17 carries compared to Hubbard’s 31 in 14. Canales said he liked the alternating-series idea after the game, but he may want to rethink it if Dowdle continues to outplay Hubbard.
Oct 19, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) runs with the ball in the second quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Vincent Carchietta Imagn Images
All of that, though, is overshadowed by the looming specter of Young’s ankle injury. The Panthers hardly ever win three games in a row, and so their fans should be able to celebrate unabashedly this week. Instead, because nothing in the NFL lasts for very long, they will have to worry about Young’s ankle, as well as the Bills and Josh Allen.
Still, to be 4-3 and over .500 at this point in the season?
It’s rare air for the Panthers. Take a few deep breaths of that air this week, Carolina fans. Remember what winning feels like.
Never miss a Scott Fowler column. Go to www.charlotteobserver.com/newsletters and sign up at “Scott Fowler’s Latest” to have them delivered directly to your email inbox as soon as they post.
Columnist Scott Fowler has written for The Charlotte Observer since 1994. He has earned 24 national APSE sportswriting awards and hosted The Observer’s podcast “Carruth,” which Sports Illustrated once named “Podcast of the Year.” Fowler hosts the online series and podcast “Sports Legends of the Carolinas,” which features 1-on-1 interviews with NC and SC sports icons. He also writes occasionally about non-sports subjects, such as the 5-part series “9/11/74,” which chronicled the plane crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in Charlotte in 1974. Support my work with a digital subscription
The Carolina Panthers gritted out a 13-6 win over the New York Jets on the road thanks to a two-interception day from Jaycee Horn, a turnover-free performance from the offense and a close-to-flawless day on special teams.
Still, there was a lot to talk about postgame.
The most pressing matter had to do with the health of starting quarterback Bryce Young, who exited the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury and didn’t return thereafter. He was replaced by Andy Dalton, who brought the ship to shore with a solid performance — which included a deep, game-clinching pass to Xavier Legette on third-and-8 late in the contest.
Young finished 15 of 25 for 138 yards and one touchdown passing, and added 10 yards rushing. Starting running back Chuba Hubbard finished with 31 yards on 14 carries, and backup Rico Dowdle finished with 17 carries for 79 yards. Legette led all receivers in targets (11), receptions (9), receiving yards (92) and touchdowns (1).
On defense, defensive lineman Derrick Brown, safety Nick Scott and Christian Rozeboom led the team with seven tackles each. Brown notched two of the team’s six sacks on the day. Others getting a sack: Nic Scourton (1.5), Tre’Von Moehrig (1), A’Shawn Robinson (1) and Princely Umanmielen (0.5).
Here is head coach Dave Canales, who addressed all of this after the win in his postgame presser.
Oct 19, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales looks on in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images Robert Deutsch Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Opening statement from Dave Canales
“(The Jets) were an aggressive group, and the guys challenged us in every way you could think of: in the pass game, with the pressures, in the run game, all those things. So I gotta just tip my hat to them. We’re grinding it out, just trying to find solutions, find yards. Andy was able to come in there, get a critical third down for us. Xavier with the big day, just all the hard work paying off.
“And then of course you just can’t say enough about the defense, coming away with six sacks, a couple of interceptions there, and just really playing excellent football all the way through the game.”
Update on the condition of Bryce Young
“We’re evaluating him for the right ankle, so we’re taking in all the information, and we’re going to look at him when we get home some more and see where we’re at. …
“(It happened) on that long third down, was trying to get out of trouble there and got caught up a little bit. So we’ll update you as soon as we have more information.”
How the carry distribution with Rico Dowdle, Chuba Hubbard went
“It came out just how we thought it would. We just switched some series and let those guys go out there and play some football for us. We’re able to find some yards in different ways, some screens, some different things like that. As they were trying to make things difficult, we were able to get the ball on the edge a couple of times with Rico in there. So I just thought it was a good day of both guys running physically, running aggressive, and it ended up paying off for us.”
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales looks on during warmups prior to the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium Oct. 19, 2025 Robert Deutsch Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
On Jaycee Horn’s performance: 2 second-half interceptions
“Yeah, just clutch play, doing right, doing right longer, and that’s our definition of finish and putting himself in position to make those plays. It’s really just his ability, his ball skills to be able to come up with those plays was huge for us. It gave us a chance to put it away two drives before the end, really, with the interceptions.
“But the defense just showed up collectively. Princely is another guy that just showed up for us today, and got banged up a little bit, and went back out there and finished. And I thought, ‘What a great step for him,’ just telling the team how much this means to him, to be out there and be available for the guys.”
If Bryce Young can’t go next week, how does offense change with Andy Dalton?
“We’ll look at it. We’ll look at all that, and see what the best version of us is. But right now, it’s running the football, and Andy can handle all those things. The pass game, the reps, the time on task with the group that we have: We got to stay within our core of our system. And you know, Andy’s fully involved in all that. So if he does play that, that’ll be the mode.”
Young has been quite durable. Does that speak to this injury’s severity?
“We’ll see. We’ll look at all the information. We’ll make sure we trust our docs and get the full evaluation, and we’ll go from there.”
On the absence of Damien Lewis and the offensive line’s depth
“I think the (shoulder) injury happened on Thursday, and we started trying to mobilize (his shoulder). We just couldn’t get a strength back to a point where we felt safe about playing, putting him out there.
“The beautiful timing of Austin Corbett coming back. I got to watch the film, but you know, first impression is that Austin did a great job just continuing to allow us to play our style of offense.”
What it means to have a winning record at this point in the season
“We just take it one game at a time. We celebrate the win, celebrate the heck out of it just now. The resilience of this group, the focus, the toughness to finish when we needed it, guys making plays on the offense, on special teams. I thought Trevor Etienne did an excellent job today, fielding the ball and making some yards out of that. So he handled all those punts great, which was such a good thing.
“And then, of course, for example, to come through on a one on one opportunity, they challenged us all game and to make the play when we had a chance, it was huge.”
On Bryce Young’s day prior to the injury
“He was doing excellent. Throwing in rhythm, making sure we’re getting to the right runs based on the looks and all those things. He’s been just continuing to build off of that, just feeling confident about our process and being able to push our football forward. So he’s been doing a great job.”
More on Jaycee Horn’s day, plus some thoughts on Mike Jackson
“It was huge, just from a standpoint of guys expecting their teammates to show up and make big plays. Just the excitement and the energy that brought the sideline for him to come up with both of those interceptions in critical situations.
“And Mike Jackson had a couple of really beautiful plays on a one-on-one go ball down the field in the end zone, and then an end cut, you know, a little bit later on the last drive — really close to picking that ball off. And then we had kind of a ‘tie goes to the runner’ situation on the sideline where they got a first down. He had both hands on it. He’s trying to pull the ball away. So I thought those guys just played excellent together today.”
Was it gratifying to see Trevor Etienne play well as a returner?
Etienne finished Sunday with three punt returns for 35 yards and one kick return for 45.
“Absolutely. Just working on his craft every day. What is my next step? And the next step was fielding those punts cleanly. If we find yards, great. Good. But if we catch them all, we save a lot of yards. And he did an excellent job today with that.”
On defense’s clutch fourth quarter
“Again, just great for the players to feel every phase, doing their part. Special teams, covering the kicks, returning the ball, getting us positive gains there. Offensively, making yards, making first downs. Third down: it was a little bit of a rough day for us on third down, but we found some good completions early on to move the chains, to give us chances. But I just love the fact that when everybody has a chance to affect the game, and they do, the trust factor and the confidence of the group takes a step and grows.”
‘Really proud of the group’
“I cannot leave this podium without, again, just talking about the Jets. (Defensive coordinator) coach (Steve) Wilks and just the job that they did, and our guys to have the resilience to take care of the football was a big deal today, especially with the challenges that we were presented so really proud of the group and the way we finished.”
Final question on Bryce Young: How did you find out about the injury?
“It was all the trainers just doing their job of evaluating him and being able to say whether he could get back out there and put, you know, force on that ankle and change directions and do the things we need him to do within our scheme. And it just felt like we couldn’t get him back out there soon enough. And we’ll give you more information as we gather information. … Again, I won’t give any specifics. I don’t have the specifics right now, so I think we’re just going to have to just do our evaluation.”
This story was originally published October 19, 2025 at 5:35 PM.
Alex Zietlow writes about the Carolina Panthers and the ways in which sports intersect with life for The Charlotte Observer, where he has been a reporter since August 2022. Zietlow’s work has been honored by the N.C. and S.C. Press Associations, as well as the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) group. He’s earned five APSE Top 10 distinctions, most recently in the Long Features category in 2024. Zietlow previously wrote for The Herald in Rock Hill (S.C.) from 2019-22. Support my work with a digital subscription
Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) is brought down by Carolina Panthers defensive end Derrick Brown (95) and outside linebacker Nic Scourton (11) at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 19, 2025.
Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Justin Fields entered Sunday as the Jets‘ starting quarterback. By the end of the game, he was on the bench, and Tyrod Taylor was under center. None of it mattered. And now Gang Green is 0–7.
Combined, Taylor and Fields were sacked six times in Sunday’s 13-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Over the last two games, Jets quarterbacks have been sacked 15 times — as big an indictment of New York’s porous offensive line as it is of the quarterbacks’ overall poor play.
On the first drive, the hapless Jets set the tone for the atrocious afternoon at the Meadowlands to come when Fields, on 4th and 5 at the Carolina Panthers’ 33-yard line, attempted to throw the ball. He missed Josh Reynolds, and the New York offense began with a turnover.
Fields threw for just 46 yards as he completed six of 12 passes.
Fields was briefly replaced by Taylor as the former was evaluated for a concussion in the second quarter. In the second half, Fields — who was cleared of injury — was nonetheless sidelined; Sauce Gardner, the Jets’ defensive star, wasn’t as lucky, as he was diagnosed with a concussion.
Justin Fields benched after another lackluster showing
The first drive was only just the start.
On New York’s second drive of the afternoon, Fields was sacked for a loss of four yards. After two eight-yard plays (a pass and a handoff), Fields airmailed a throw to Josh Reynolds.
In the second quarter, Fields was hit hard by Panthers safety Nick Scott, causing a fight to break out. Fields was briefly sent to the medical tent, but returned later in the quarter.
The Jets tied the game at three on the drive, as Nick Folk nailed a 34-yard field goal.
New York’s next drive lasted just four plays, as the Jets gained 11 yards.
On the ensuing drive after the Panthers scored a touchdown to regain the lead, Fields was sacked for a loss of seven. Later in the drive, Fields was sacked for a loss of 10 as the first half came to an end.
When the Jets’ offense took the field for their first drive of the third quarter, Taylor was under center, as Fields stood on the sideline.
“We needed a spark at the time,” head coach Aaron Glenn explained after the game. “I felt it was the right time to do it.”
Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) throws the ball in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 19, 2025.Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Taylor takes over
On the second drive of the third quarter, Taylor escaped three Panthers defenders and found Tyler Johnson with a deep pass for a 20-yard gain.
Taylor then attempted two more deep throws. The first was incomplete for Allen Lazard. Next, he attempted to find Reynolds in the endzone, but the pass was intercepted by Jaycee Horn.
With 4:28 left in the fourth quarter, Taylor tried to find Reynolds, but was once again intercepted by Horn.
Taylor completed 10 of 22 passes. He threw for 126 yards, with two interceptions.
Panthers’ offense does just enough
Though New York held Carolina to just 13 points Sunday, the Panthers’ offense did all it needed to get the win.
Bryce Young threw 15-for-25 and 138 yards, with one touchdown. After he left Sunday’s game with an anke injury, Andy Dalton completed four of seven and totalled 60 yards.
The Panthers settled for a Ryan Fitzgerald 30-yard field goal on the first drive of the game as they picked up 54 yards on 13 plays.
On Carolina’s fourth drive of the second quarter, Chuba Hubbard brought the Panthers to first and goal with a 26-yard gain. Young completed a three-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Legette to put the Panthers ahead. Fitzgerald knocked in the extra point to give his team a 10-3 lead.
Fitzgerald added a 29-yard field goal early in the third quarter, as the Panthers took a 10-point lead. They never looked back.
The Jets will head to Cincinnati next Sunday afternoon to face the Bengals. They have 10 more chances to win a game this year — and increasingly, they are looking like a team destined for the worst kind of football history.
Meanwhile, Glenn did not indicate who would start at quarterback next week.
The Carolina Panthers were doing it again — frustrating their fans, turning the ball over, acting like they had never seen a football before.
After 20 minutes in the Panthers’ game at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Miami led, 17-0. Panthers quarterback Bryce Young had turned the ball over twice — one on an atrocious fumble, one on an airmailed interception. The thousands of Dolphins fans who had infiltrated the stadium were loud; some Panthers fans were already wondering how bad the score needed to be before they left.
And then, in a bizarrely beautiful way, the Panthers started climbing back into the game. By halftime, it was 17-10. By the end of the third quarter, it was 17-13. And by the end of the game, Carolina had tied the largest comeback in franchise history and upset the Dolphins, 27-24.
“The ones who stayed,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said, “got to see an amazing show.”
Carolina Panthers tight end Mitchell Evans, center, spikes the football after catching a pass for a touchdown during Sunday’s fourth quarter action against the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Dolphins, 27-24. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
It was an entertaining win for the Panthers (2-3), who scored two touchdowns in the game’s final 6:10 to chase down the Dolphins (1-4). It was also a significant one — the sort of win that occasionally turns around an entire season, if it instills the confidence that it should.
In the recent past, a Panthers team that fell down by 17 points was either going to lose very big (most of the time) or nearly make a comeback but fall short (see: Arizona game in Week 2).
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane, left, leaps to catch a pass in the end zone as Carolina Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace, right, applies pressure during Sunday’s action at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers fell behind 17-0 in the second quarter before rallying. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
This comeback, though, was completed with a flourish, as Young turned his afternoon completely around and all sorts of unlikely first- and second-year offensive players made huge plays: Xavier Legette (a TD), Jimmy Horn Jr. (a fourth-down catch) and Mitchell Evans (the game-winning touchdown) among them.
The biggest headliner, though, was Rico Dowdle, Carolina’s backup tailback with all the Carolinas connections who became the No. 1 running back on this day due to Chuba Hubbard’s calf injury that sidelined him for the entire game.
There was no Dowdle about it: the running back was magnificent.
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales, left hugs running back Rico Dowdle, right, following the team’s 27-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. Dowdle rushed for 206 yards, tied for the second-highest rushing yardage total in team history. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Dowdle rushed for 206 yards on 23 carries — tied for the second-most rushing yards in Carolina history, behind only DeAngelo Williams’ 210 in a 2012 game. And Dowdle would have set the franchise record for sure had he not had to down five containers of pickle juice on the sideline to counteract the frequent cramping he was suffering in the fourth quarter.
Dowdle scored from a yard out to give Carolina a 20-17 lead, crowd-surfing the last few inches on his back. But Miami immediately returned the favor, as Jaylen Waddle got loose behind Carolina’s secondary for a 46-yard touchdown pass.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young throws a pass during the game against the Dolphins on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. Young led two touchdown drives in the final 6:10 of the game. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
That meant Carolina had to score a touchdown again, down 24-20, and starting at the Panthers’ own 17. But there the Panthers went: Dowdle for 16 yards, and then Legette on a pretty pass for 24, and soon Horn converting a fourth-and-5 for 17 more. All of it led to Young throwing a play-action pass to Evans from the 4.
Evans, the rookie from Notre Dame, caught the ball, got submarined and basically somersaulted into the end zone.
Evans then spiked the ball so hard it would have made Rob Gronkowski proud.
“Really?” Evans said when I told him his spike went 10 rows into the stands. “I kinda blacked out.”
Carolina Panthers tight end Mitchell Evans, right, flexes as he celebrates his touchdown pass reception with his teammates during fourth-quarter action against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Dolphins, 27-24. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
The win still wasn’t complete, but then the defense did its part with a big third-down sack from Pat Jones. Rather than going for it, Miami decided to punt on fourth-and-17 from its own 15 with 1:10 left and three timeouts.
Needing one first down to seal the game, the Panthers and Canales correctly took one last risk, letting Young throw on third down instead of conservatively running the ball into the line to use up Miami’s final timeout. Win or lose, I loved that call. Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow drew a pass interference penalty on the play, and that was that.
Now Miami isn’t a good team, and Carolina will have to play better than this to beat, say, Dallas at home in a week.
But this was the sort of game that provides a fan base with hope — and a locker room, too. The Panthers have come back from 17 points down to win three different times in their history before Sunday. The most notable: The 2003 season opener against Jacksonville, when Jake Delhomme was inserted at halftime, leading both a comeback and, eventually, a team that made Carolina’s first Super Bowl.
The 2025 version of the Panthers doesn’t have the talent to make the Super Bowl. No chance. But they do have enough talent to make life interesting, if they just don’t disintegrate like they did the week before (a 42-13 embarrassment of a loss at New England).
For Sunday, at least, Panthers fans who stuck with the game had two excellent options.
Carolina Panthers tight end Mitchell Evans, right, celebrates his touchdown pass reception with team personnel during Sunday’s fourth-quarter action against the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Dolphins, 27-24. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
In person, it was great. On TV, it was great too, thanks to the local flavor provided by Charlotte Hornets announcer Eric Collins, who moonlighted by calling the first NFL game of his career for Fox Sports. Although I was at the game in person, I kept the broadcast on to listen to Collins, who seamlessly worked in mentions of the Gaffney peach water tower and the Charlotte 49ers while immediately outperforming at least half of all the NFL play-by-play guys working today. Collins deserves another chance at doing this stuff.
And after Sunday, the Panthers do, too. At 17-0, this felt like a team that a lot of people were about to give up on. But then they won and looked again — at least for a week — like a team very much worth watching.
Columnist Scott Fowler has written for The Charlotte Observer since 1994. He has earned 24 national APSE sportswriting awards and hosted The Observer’s podcast “Carruth,” which Sports Illustrated once named “Podcast of the Year.” Fowler hosts the online series and podcast “Sports Legends of the Carolinas,” which features 1-on-1 interviews with NC and SC sports icons. He also writes occasionally about non-sports subjects, such as the 5-part series “9/11/74,” which chronicled the plane crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in Charlotte in 1974. Support my work with a digital subscription
CHARLOTTE. N.C. — CHARLOTTE. N.C. (AP) — Bryce Young threw a go-ahead, 4-yard touchdown pass to Mitchell Evans with 1:59 remaining, Rico Dowdle ran for 206 yards and a score, and the Carolina Panthers overcame a 17-point first-half deficit to beat the Miami Dolphins 27-24 on Sunday.
Young completed 19 of 30 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns after turning the ball over on Carolina’s first two possessions, leading to two touchdown passes by Tua Tagovailoa and a 17-0 Miami lead.
Making his first start for the Panthers, Dowdle matched the second-highest rushing total in franchise history.
The Panthers (2-3) remained unbeaten at home and equaled a franchise record with their 17-point comeback. Carolina improved to 4-117 (including playoffs) when trailing by 17 or more.
Tagovailoa finished 27 of 36 for 256 yards with TD passes to De’Von Achane, Darren Waller and Jaylen Waddle in Miami’s first game since Tyreek Hill sustained a season-ending knee injury.
The Panthers took the lead midway through the fourth quarter on a 1-yard TD run by Dowdle, but Tagovailoa answered quickly with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Waddle to put the Dolphins ahead 24-20 with 4:50 left.
The Panthers responded with an impressive drive sparked Young’s 17-yard pass to rookie Jimmy Horn on fourth-and-5. Evans’ TD catch was his second score in two games.
The Dolphins (1-4) had a chance to retake the lead, but Patrick Jones II sacked Tagovailoa for a 7-yard loss on third-and-10. Miami coach Mike McDaniel elected to punt with 1:10 left.
On Carolina’s ensuing drive, Miami’s Jack Jones was flagged for pass interference on Hunter Renfrow on a third-down play, giving Carolina a game-sealing first down.
The Dolphins were held to 19 yards rushing, and Tagovailoa was sacked three times.
The momentum changed late in the second quarter when Young found struggling wide receiver Xavier Legette for a 7-yard touchdown strike to cut the lead to 17-7. Legette had come into the game with just 8 yards receiving on four catches this season and had sat out the last two games with a hamstring injury.
A field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald on the final play of the half got Carolina within 17-10. Dowdle’s 53-yard burst set up another field goal to open the second half.
Dowdle, a free-agent pickup from Dallas, also had a 43-yard run. He came within 5 yards of breaking the franchise single-game rushing record held by DeAngelo Williams.
Dolphins: Host the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young committed a bizarre turnover in the first quarter of his game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon.
The Panthers had the ball with 6:38 left in the first quarter when he dropped back to pass. Dolphins pass-rusher Bradley Chubb put the pressure on the third-year quarterback. Young tried to pump fake Chubb, but he lost the football instead.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) seen with the ball during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025. (Cory Knowlton/Imagn Images)
Chubb pushed Young out of the way to recover the fumble and get the Dolphins the ball back.
The Dolphins had to go without him, but Tua Tagovailoa was targeting Darren Waller and Jaylen Waddle early in the game. To start the second quarter, Tagovailoa found running back De’Von Achane for a touchdown pass.
Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Bradley Chubb reacts a fumble by Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.(AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
Young later threw an interception to Minkah Fitzaptrick.
Miami started the season 0-3, but was back in the win column on Monday when they defeated the New York Jets. Unfortunately, the team lost Tyreek Hill for the rest of the season in the win.
Carolina came into the game with a 1-3 record as well. But Young has not really impressed fans with his play so far.
He has 753 passing yards, five touchdown passes and three interceptions through four games. He had three touchdown passes in a 27-22 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. But he had zero touchdown passes in a 30-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa passes against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
The Carolina Panthers are a very bad football team.
Occasionally, they push this fact to the background with an unusually adept performance, akin to a blind squirrel finding an acorn. But then reality bites, as it did on Sunday, when they went to New England and got walloped, 42-13, by the Patriots.
New England (2-2) is a long way removed from the Super Bowl Belichick-Brady juggernauts, but the Patriots scored 42 — 42! — unanswered points in a game that made Carolina head coach Dave Canales call everything he was doing into question.
Said Canales of Carolina’s performance, which he noted was poor in all aspects: “When it happens in all phases, I’m the common denominator, and I have to take responsibility for that. I have to make sure I’m pushing the guys the right way. I have to evaluate what we’re doing, how we’re working, how we’re preparing our guys. I felt confident about that part. But we’re not getting the results.”
You can say that again. And to Canales’ credit, he did. Several times.
Carolina (1-3) threw in a sweet mirage last week — clobbering Atlanta, 30-0, in a remarkably error-free game. But after one week of renting a Ferrari, the Panthers were back driving their 1976 Ford Pinto on Sunday, and it all went about as well as that very same car performed when I had one as a teenager.
Panthers owner David Tepper walked by me in the tunnel headed toward Carolina’s locker room after the game. He did not look happy. Nor did anyone else in that locker room after this blowout, which could bring about major changes within hours (some similar losses have in the past) but, more than likely, won’t.
New England Patriots running back Treveyon Henderson (32) scores a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA., on Sunday, Sep 28, 2025 Brian Fluharty Imagn Images
Canales, for instance, said after the game that quarterback Bryce Young would start next week at home against Miami, that he didn’t anticipate making any staff changes at the moment and that he also didn’t think he was going to give up calling plays.
The Carolina players looked like they had just taken their worst loss of the season, which they had. Said Panthers safety Nick Scott: “Guys are pissed off…. Guys are angry. Guys are upset. You put a lot into this game, and this happens. I mean, it’s embarrassing.”
And yet no one (outside of Panthers fans at least) was publicly asking for an alteration in the status quo.
Said Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard, when asked what needed to change: “We’re not going to change anything. We’re just going to keep working hard. I mean, I think in times like this, everyone can be like, ‘Oh, do this. Do that.’ But I think we just have to stick to our process and just continue building off that. So we’re not changing anything.”
With all due respect, that’s not going to work. We have seen that it doesn’t work. Repeatedly.
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) runs the ball while Carolina Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson (2) defends during the first half at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA., on Sunday, Sep 28, 2025. Diggs burned the Panthers for 101 yards receiving. Bob DeChiara Imagn Images
Some things have got to change. Maybe the coaching staff needs to be shaken up. Maybe Young — ineffective except for his first drive and now 1-15 as a starter in NFL road games — needs an Andy Dalton reset like he got last year. Maybe Canales needs to be more of a CEO head coach and relinquish playcalling.
And believe me, Canales’ job isn’t totally safe, either, if this team keeps losing big and losing often. Although Tepper has repeatedly and quietly preached patience with the second-year head coach, the owner has also fired three Carolina head coaches in the middle of three previous NFL seasons (Ron Rivera, Matt Rhule and Frank Reich) and installed interim head coaches.
Carolina has two winnable games coming up next at home in Charlotte, against Miami and Dallas. If the Panthers lose both of those, too, and drop to 1-5? All bets are off.
Canales is now 6-15 as a head coach for Carolina. Young is 7-25 as a starter. Tepper is 37-83 as the team’s owner, but he’s not going anywhere. A lot of other people will, though, if this continues.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) slips and falls under preasure from New England Patriots defensive end Milton Williams (97) and linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (44) during the first half at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA., on Sunday, Sep 28, 2025. New England scored 42 straight points after an early Panthers lead and won, 42-13. Brian Fluharty Imagn Images
It’s hard to believe now, but the Panthers actually prompted some New England fans to start booing early in the game. After taking the opening kickoff, the Panthers marched right down the field on one of their best drives of the last several seasons. They didn’t even face a third down as they rolled to one substantial gain after another, ending the march with Young’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Tremble to take a 6-0 lead.
“Booooo!” yelled a number of Patriot fans, already disgruntled.
And then it all disintegrated.
The problems started slowly, as Carolina’s previously perfect rookie placekicker Ryan Fitzgerald doinked the extra point off the left upright. No good.
After a New England punt, Carolina had a chance to extend its lead. But after moving to the Patriots 45, on third-and-10, Canales inexplicably called a draw play (he would do much the same thing on a later third-and-long, with similarly poor results). Carolina only gained two yards, punted…. and suddenly, it all changed.
As Carolina’s punt coverage team converged, New England returner Marcus Jones eschewed calling for a fair catch at his own 13, made a couple of moves and was only touched by a single Panther as he made like a flew down the left sideline for 87 yards and a 7-6 New England lead.
From there came a familiar litany of Panther mistakes.
New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (25) runs the ball while Carolina Panthers cornerback Akayleb Evans (29) defends during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Jones returned one punt return 87 yards for a touchdown and set up another TD with a 61-yard return. Bob DeChiara Imagn Images
Jones set up yet another TD with a 61-yard return, as Carolina’s special teams had one of their worst days in franchise history.
Coming back to our planet after a tremendous start to the season, Fitzgerald was short on a field-goal attempt from 55 yards. Young started overthrowing and underthrowing receivers under pressure — on one play, he missed rookie Tetairoa McMillan on what would have been a sure touchdown.
On and on it went. Canales’ offensive playcalls were uninspired. The defense, after pitching a shutout a week ago vs. Atlanta, couldn’t stop anybody and allowed N.C. product Drake Maye to complete practically every pass he threw. Maye, meanwhile, thoroughly outplayed Young and paid homage to the Cam Newton “Superman” celebration by doing it after he scored the second of New England’s six — six! — touchdowns.
New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (4) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA., on Sunday, Sep 28, 2025 Brian Fluharty Imagn Images
By halftime, it was 28-6 New England, and the game was all but over.
The big halftime deficit has been a trend this year. Carolina also trailed 20-3 in both Week 1 and Week 2 at halftime.
Instead of starting fast, as every team preaches, the Panthers play most first halves like they’re rubbing their eyes and stumbling toward the coffeepot. If they don’t wake up soon, all this is going to get even worse.
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Columnist Scott Fowler has written for The Charlotte Observer since 1994. He has earned 24 national APSE sportswriting awards and hosted The Observer’s podcast “Carruth,” which Sports Illustrated once named “Podcast of the Year.” Fowler hosts the online series and podcast “Sports Legends of the Carolinas,” which features 1-on-1 interviews with NC and SC sports icons. He also writes occasionally about non-sports subjects, such as the 5-part series “9/11/74,” which chronicled the plane crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in Charlotte in 1974. Support my work with a digital subscription
“Certainly not the execution we’re looking for,” Canales said. “This is in all phases, first and foremost, giving the credit to the Patriots. They outplayed us in every phase, offensively, defensively, on special teams, with the big return yardage on that. When it’s a full team effort like this, I have to put that on myself.
“I have to look at how I’m preparing the team, how we’re going about our work,” Canales added in his opening statement. “I have to look at that and compete to find an edge to get these guys to work together, to focus so we can get the execution that we’re seeing happen in our processes. But this is the only way to work through these things is to go right back to work, to attack it head on, and with the guys, I told them in the locker room, hey, a loss is a loss; we’ve got to look at this stuff, we’ve got to look in the mirror and figure out who we want to be as a team so we can get the execution that we’re calling for and that we’re looking for.”
Canales, now 6-15 through his first 21 games in Carolina (1-3), will need to go back to the drawing board as he looks to elevate the play of Bryce Young, Tetairoa McMillan and the rest of the Panthers’ offense.
Canales will also need to oversee adjustments made by Ejiro Evero and Tracy Smith on defense and special teams, respectively.
As of now, though, he doesn’t plan to make any moves on the coaching staff.
“Not right now,” Canales said. “No, but we’re going to look at all the stuff tomorrow, put our heads together, and make sure we’re pushing forward the right way.”
Canales says Bryce Young is still QB1
Canales pulled Young from the game in the fourth quarter with the Patriots up by 36 points. Young guided the offense on a touchdown-scoring drive to begin the matchup, but his effectiveness waned as the Patriots piled on points.
Following the lopsided loss, Canales was asked if Young would be the starting QB against the Miami Dolphins in Week 5.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) eludes the tackle of New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) during the first half at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA., on Sunday, Sep 28, 2025 Bob DeChiara Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
“Absolutely,” Canales said. “Counting on him to keep pushing us forward, counting on him to keep us on track. There were some near misses across the board, some penalties that put us in weird situations, a couple of protection issues, and one of them where he slipped and kind of put us in a bad situation.
“But I still feel that he’s being confident out there. He’s leading the group. He’s getting us out there with good energy and focus. He’ll continue to play.”
Canales says he should still be calling plays for the offense
The Panthers’ offense outgained the Patriots’ offense on Sunday. Carolina had 326 net yards of offense, while New England produced 307 nets yards on their side of the field.
However, the Patriots scored six touchdowns compared to the Panthers’ two scores. New England was constantly put in good field positioning due to Carolina’s repeated gaffes in each phase.
But Canales still plans to call plays for the offense.
“I believe that I’m the right person to be able to push our concepts and our schemes forward,” Canales said. “I think it’s a combination of a bunch of things. Execution-wise am I calling the right plays rhythmically for the guys to have success based on what the defense is doing to us on that day. That’s something that I’ll definitely look at, though.”
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) runs with the ball wile New England Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins (21) defends during the first half at Gillette Stadium Sean DeBevoise, or Nigel Max Edge…. troubled marine, shot into a waterside night spot last night. Bob DeChiara Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Young and McMillan have had a few miscommunications in the passing game over the first month of the season. Canales said noticed the mishaps against the Patriots, and he plans to work with the duo to fix them.
“It was some near misses there,” Canales said the Young-McMillan dynamic. “That’s something we’ve got to look at on film and just make sure that they’re on the same page.”
Canales “honestly” doesn’t question effort, energy
A 28-6 halftime deficit is hard for any team to climb out of. But the Panthers did themselves few favors in the second half.
Missed tackles, poor angles, and pedestrian offensive execution led to an even bigger second-half plight. The Panthers were outscored 14-7 in the final two quarters.
Still, Canales doesn’t blame his players’ effort.
New England Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins (21) tackles Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brycen Tremayne (87) during the first half at Gillette Stadium Sean DeBevoise, or Nigel Max Edge…. troubled marine, shot into a waterside night spot last night. Bob DeChiara Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
“I can honestly say that the effort and the energy from our guys is there,” Canales said. “It keeps coming back to the execution. I have to look at that myself; are we putting our guys in the best situation to be successful in every phase.
“I have to make sure that we have those conversations and that we keep progressing our football forward. I know who our guys are. I know they’re not going to quit. I know they’re going to continue to punch, they’re going to continue to fight all the way through it. But it’s not enough. We have to be able to come out and execute for four quarters to become the football team that I believe we can become, and the work starts right now. It starts with me. It starts with our coaching staff. Our players understand as well, this is not acceptable, and this is something that we have to come together and make sure that we’re together on this thing so we’re pushing forward.”
Canales says Christensen’s versatility factored into his lack of usage
When fill-in starting guard Chandler Zavala was knocked out of the game in the first half, practice-squad lineman Brandon Walton replaced him. Versatile veteran Brady Christensen remained on the sideline.
It turns out, according to Canales, Christensen’s prolonged sideline stint was due to the team’s game plan.
“Yeah, we had a heavy package planned for Brady and then also for Brandon,” Canales said. “The other part is Brady is our backup center, so we went with Brandon first to just make sure that Brady was available in case anything else happened at the center position.
“But we wanted to make sure we came out of this game with Brady having a chance to be out there and play, just kind of looking into the future and the next couple of weeks to see if that’s a place where we’re going to really need him, and so we kind of went with that approach after Brandon had that first series.”
Canales offers an update on Moore’s status
Wideout David Moore picked up 12 yards and a first down on the opening play of the game.
However, he was slammed to the field in an awkward position out of bounds, injuring his elbow in the process. Moore was carted off the field and failed to return.
Following the game, Canales offered an update on Moore, who was heavily featured in Week 3’s 30-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
“We’re going to be looking at it week to week,” Canales said. “It was an elbow injury that happened on the first play, which was a really nice run by him, a guy that we’re counting on, so we’ll be week to week with D-Mo.”
Moore joins Xavier Legette (hamstring) on the sideline. Legette missed the matchup against New England, forcing Moore into the starting lineup. Fellow wideout Jalen Coker (quad) has also been sidelined throughout the first month of the season on injured reserve. He is eligible to activated as soon as next week.
The Panthers also have Hunter Renfrow, Brycen Tremayne, Dalevon Campbell and Jimmy Horn Jr. at wide receiver on the active roster.
Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription
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