Here is how the rookies did in Week 12.
The Panthers did not get what they needed from their starting quarterback or their coaching staff in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings. However, one of their rookies almost single-handedly won the game by making NFL history.
Here is how the rookies did in Week 12.
Lightning struck twice for Jeremy Chinn
There’s always a lot of luck involved in recovering fumbles. The odds for it to happen twice in a row must be astronomical. For Chinn to scoop up two fumbles on consecutive plays and run them both back for touchdowns is more than just luck, though. Chinn had to be in the right place at the right time and put himself in position to succeed.
This was the first time in NFL history a defender scored touchdowns on back-to-back plays. Chinn also threw in a team-high 13 tackles against Minnesota. It’s no longer hype or speculation. He has the potential to be one of the most effective defensive players in this league.
Derrick Brown did it again
Carolina’s first-round pick is becoming a respectable mover of the pocket, even if he can’t get a sack. Brown came into Week 12 leading all 2020 rookies in pressures. However, he’s still having serious penalty problems. Brown drew another flag against the Vikings this week, bringing his season total to nine, more than any other player in the NFL. Brown has to find a way to play with more discipline, end of story. This wasn’t a great game for him, but Brown did add two more quarterback hits.
Yetur Gross-Matos was quiet
Gross-Matos didn’t have much of an impact on this game. He was able to get a couple of pressures on Kirk Cousins and notched half a tackle for a loss, though.
Bravvion Roy got a sack and an injury
Sixth-round pick Bravvion Roy earned the first sack of his career when Kirk Cousins fell down after getting his foot stepped on by his left guard. Roy left the field early with an elbow injury, though.
Troy Pride Jr. stepped up
With Donte Jackson out, Troy Pride Jr. and Stantley Thomas-Oliver split his reps on the outside again. Pride’s coverage looked to be much improved from what we have come to expect, as we saw on this PBU when he was covering Justin Jefferson.
Stantley Thomas-Oliver did not
Thomas-Oliver was notably less successful, though. He got flambeed on this touchdown for Jefferson.
As for the other rookies, Myles Hartsfield came through with another splash play on special teams when he recovered the muffed punt return by Chad Beebe. Running back Rodney Smith totaled 18 yards on seven carries.
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