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Bryce Young and Frankie Luvu headlined the studs from the Panthers’ very first win of the 2023 campaign.
Who stepped up and who stepped off in the Carolina Panthers’ very first win of the 2023 campaign?
Here are the studs and duds from Week 8’s 15-13 victory over the Houston Texans:
Bryce Young’s poise has been present throughout his rookie campaign. But it really shined in the Panthers’ first win of the season.
Wow, this is sort of a new feeling, isn’t it? Well, let’s enjoy and revel in it.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the Carolina Panthers’ first win of the 2023 season:
Is there still hope for the 0-6 Panthers as they return from their bye week?
A season that started with renewed hope and high expectations has quickly turned into one of the most frustrating starts in franchise history for the Carolina Panthers. The patina of the new all-star coaching staff, this year’s No. 1 overall pick and a promising defense has worn off—thanks to six straight losses to begin the campaign.
So, as they come out of their bye week at 0-6, what should be the strategy and mindset moving forward?
The absolute top priority for this coaching staff and front office should be the complete investment in said No. 1 pick—quarterback Bryce Young. That includes patching up and fortifying what’s quickly and surprisingly become a thin offensive line.
Luckily, starting right guard Austin Corbett will be returning to the fold soon. The sixth-year veteran, who has yet to play in 2023 due to his recovery from a torn ACL, was officially activated from injured reserve on Tuesday.
But questions about the other side of the front remain. There is still a void at left guard, caused by the season-ending biceps injury to Brady Christensen, and there may still be some concern over a possible step back from second-year tackle Ikem Ekwonu.
Hopefully for the Panthers, Ekwonu hunkers down on the edge and a contender emerges to his right. The field for that spot could include Cade Mays, Calvin Throckmorton, Nash Jensen and rookie Chandler Zavala—who may be on his way back after sustaining a neck stinger.
Injury has also ravaged, to an even more extensive degree, the team’s defense. The unit, to some extent or another, has been without a handful of its starters—including cornerback Jaycee Horn, linebacker Shaq Thompson and safeties Xavier Woods and Vonn Bell. And now, they’ll be without outside linebacker Yetur Gross-Matos and safety Jeremy Chinn for at least the next month.
Plus, the adjustments to defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s new scheme are still trying to settle themselves in. The Panthers have thus far allowed the most points per game (31.0) and the second-most rushing yards per game (144.3).
As a product back on offense, the Panthers have proven to be stale. While it is difficult to keep moving with the constant flow of interior pressure Young is facing, it seems like their adjustments are few and far in between.
On the bright side, veteran receiver Adam Thielen has absolutely shined—having already reeled in 49 receptions for 509 yards and four scores. But outside of the 33-year-old, the wideouts on the roster are having trouble gaining separation.
Perhaps head coach Frank Reich handing over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will help open things up with a new set of eyes. In addition, the Panthers are reportedly on the lookout for some extra pass-catching help—whether that may come through a trade or the free-agent market.
While the project is thus far failing, it is far too early to throw it away. If the Panthers can find their niche on offense, grow into their scheme on defense and get back their key players in due time, the hope—even if it’s for the next season—may start to shimmer again.
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Through five games, Adam Thielen now has four top-two finishes in offensive PFF grading for the Panthers.
It’s difficult to highlight the positive amongst all the negative that the Carolina Panthers have experienced this season—and it definitely didn’t get much easier after Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions. But if you’re strictly an Adam Thielen fan, then welcome back to the party!
In what’s almost become a weekly celebration of the 33-year-old wideout, let’s take a look at the best and worst Pro Football Focus grades for the Panthers from Week 5:
PFF has now graded Adam Thielen as a top-two offensive player for the Panthers in three of the team’s first four games.
How did the Carolina Panthers grade out in yesterday’s 21-13 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings?
Here are the best and worst marks from the team’s fourth straight loss:
Andy Dalton, in his first start for the Panthers, earned the offense’s highest overall grade from PFF.
There were plenty of numbers put up in Sunday’s matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks. But none of them translated into the number that actually mattered—at least for the team that’s now 0-3.
Now, let’s take a look at some of Pro Football Focus’ tallies for the Panthers in the 37-27 loss:
When he wasn’t signing autographs on Sunday, Panthers OLB Brian Burns was writing Geno Smith back—with a handful of QB hits.
The Carolina Panthers swung and missed for the third straight time to start the season, striking out to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. And while the defeat came with its underwhelming showings, it also came with a few encouraging ones.
Here are the studs and duds from the 37-27 loss:
According to PFF, Panthers CBs fell flat in their first game without Jaycee Horn this season.
Were this week’s Pro Football Focus grades as ugly as the game we got out of the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints last night?
Let’s take a look at the best and worst marks for the Panthers in their 20-17 loss:
Gimme Him: Panthers players we’d like to see on the Saints include several talented playmakers on the offensive and defensive lines
We’re hours away from kickoff between the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, so here’s a unique way to preview Carolina’s best players: Which of them would you want to go turncoat and join the Saints?
Each of our staff writers here at the Saints Wire made their picks for which opposing player could best suit the team’s needs. Unfortunately, each of these talented playmakers will be suiting up against New Orleans on Monday night:
Bryce Young’s rough debut yielded the lowest PFF grade from the entire Panthers offense in Week 1.
The first batch of Pro Football Focus grades for the 2023 regular season are in.
Let’s take a look at the best and worst marks for the Carolina Panthers in their Week 1 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
