Bryce Young's first-half
This wasn't for the football purists, and nobody expected it to be. The Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints fought their way through an arduous first half where quality was at a premium, and head coach Dave Canales' squad spurned several opportunities to firmly assert their dominance.
Bryce Young had an up-and-down first half. He at least protected the football, but offensive coordinator Brad Idzik didn't get aggressive until late in the second quarter.
Instead of forcing the issue, the Panthers were a little hesitant offensively. Young checked the football down a lot, relying on his playmakers to gain yards after the catch. His most impressive throws were a deep shot to wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and a laser that was brought in by tight end Darren Waller, which put Carolina in position for the only score of the half.
This was reflected in Young's first-half stats. They were solid enough without being world-beating, but they spoke to the lack of productivity for both offenses on a tense afternoon.
- 55.56 percent completion
- 106 passing yards
- 0 touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 1 sack against
- 0 rushing yards
- 72.9 passer rating (ESPN)
At least the Panthers had a slender lead at the interval. That was just about the only positive you could take from a very underwhelming contest between two struggling clubs.
Bryce Young's adaptability
There is no denying Bryce Young's intelligence. He sees the field well and has the football IQ needed to identify where pressure is coming from. With momentum hard to generate, the signal-caller had to think on his feet throughout the contest.
Young has his weaknesses, but he knows what to take and when to take it. The receivers struggled to create separation downfield, and the offensive line was not coping well with the New Orleans Saints' defensive front.
That led to a change in his typically aggressive mindset, with the running game complemented by the Heisman Trophy winner timing his short throws well.
It's not the most glamorous way of moving the chains, but Young had no other option.
While Young would no doubt like to air it out on every play and throw for 400 yards every week, the NFL doesn't work like that. Teams are trying hard to take the signal-caller and his playmakers out of the equation, forcing him to adapt. He's doing it well, and even though the Panthers weren't at their best, it seemed as if they were almost playing down to their opposition.
As for Young? His ability to adjust to his in-game climate and be situationally aware was encouraging. And sometimes, you just have to grind things out.
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