CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Younger had accomplished all six of his cross makes an attempt for 37 yards. Working again Chuba Hubbard had 4 carries for 22 yards.
The Panthers had been taking part in virtually flawlessly on their first drive Sunday in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys, trying just like the workforce that just about beat the division-leading Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC South) and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (AFC West) the earlier three weeks.
Then on the thirteenth play, from the Dallas 18, after faking out Micah Parsons with a spin transfer that left the star linebacker tackling air, Younger misplaced a fumble whereas scrambling.
That began what ultimately turned a 30-14 loss that was a microcosm of why the Panthers (3-11) are having a season that is put them in rivalry — as soon as once more — for the highest choose of the 2025 NFL draft.
The Panthers’ Thirty first-ranked protection gave up 410 yards to a Dallas workforce taking part in with backup quarterback Cooper Rush.
Their Thirty second-ranked rush protection gave up 211 yards on the bottom to a workforce ranked twenty eighth in dashing (91.2 yards per recreation).
Younger completed with a career-high 4 turnovers (two interceptions, two misplaced fumbles) after totaling one the earlier 4 video games.
It revealed simply how nice the road is for the Panthers being aggressive (just like the earlier 5 video games) and disastrous (like their 1-7 begin).
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“That is the problem,” coach Dave Canales stated. “When you’ve a profitable drive ending in a turnover, the problem is you need to snap again and say, ‘Okay, these are the issues that led to the success of that drive and may we simply return to it?’
“We weren’t in a position to return to it in the middle of the primary half.”
That confirmed simply the place the Panthers want to enhance in the course of the offseason to take the subsequent step ahead.
Canales is sticking with Younger for Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the 7-7 Arizona Cardinals (1 p.m. ET, Fox), who’re attempting keep alive for the NFC West title, which speaks to rising confidence within the high choose of the 2023 draft. It additionally speaks to the probability that Carolina will enter subsequent season with Younger and a veteran (present backup Andy Dalton or a free agent), as an alternative of utilizing a excessive first-round choose on one other quarterback.
“His demeanor in response to the challenges and adversity we confronted within the recreation, for Bryce to proceed to play with confidence, to proceed to see the protection, to see the routes develop … he simply stayed constant that method,” Canales stated. “I felt his confidence.”
Bettering the offensive line in the course of the offseason will assist Younger, who was sacked a season-high six instances after being sacked a complete of six instances the earlier 5 video games.
In the meantime, the protection continued to point out flaws which have proved unfixable since shedding defensive deal with Derrick Brown (knee) and inside linebacker Shaq Thompson (Achilles) to season-ending accidents within the first two video games.
“We have not had the correct match, and chemistry has been off just a little bit on our run suits and understanding how we every play a task,” defensive deal with A’Shawn Robinson stated. “I really feel that is been just a little iffy.”
It is clear the Panthers do not have sufficient defensive expertise to be constantly aggressive, one thing that ought to be addressed in free company and the draft.
“Sooner or later you simply need to compete,” Canales stated.
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Among the many high defensive choices Carolina may contemplate within the draft are Colorado’s Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter (who may bolster the roster as a cornerback and huge receiver), Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, Michigan defensive deal with Mason Graham, Tennessee defensive finish James Pearce Jr., Ohio State edge rusher JT Tuimoloau and Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams.
Outdoors linebacker, particularly, ought to be a spotlight with Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum coming into the final 12 months of their contracts in 2025.
The protection hasn’t proven it could actually cease anyone, notably in opposition to the run.
“It simply takes consistency,” inside linebacker Josey Jewell stated. “You may see a flash of it on three downs consecutively, after which impulsively the subsequent drive, it’s very completely different. One man will get beat, and we do not play off it appropriately, after which it is a 10-yard run, a six-yarder, seven … they usually’re simply gashing us.”
Canales acknowledged the run protection must be addressed within the offseason, however for now he is targeted on getting the gamers he has prepared for the Cardinals and the NFL’s seventh-best rush offense (141.5 YPG.).
Everybody understands the problem.
“When the opposing offense can run the ball like they’ve been, it is undoubtedly not going to assist,” Jewell stated. “After which it opens up the cross recreation later. So it comes right down to physicality, folks doing their job, successful their one-on-ones.
“We won’t have one other one like final week.”
