Bryce Young hadn't been at his best over the last two games, and things weren't going to be any easier for the Carolina Panthers quarterback against the Denver Broncos.
Young's overall play has improved significantly this season. Rumors are swirling that the Panthers are close to a contract extension worth north of $50 million a year. Nothing has been confirmed by the franchise yet, but that seems to be the direction it's headed.
The Broncos were not going to do Young any favors on his quest for a payday.
Their vaunted defense is relentless, capable of generating pressure effortlessly and making life extremely uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks. Considering how terrible Carolina's under-strength offensive line has been this season, the potential issues were glaring.
But if Young wants to be paid like one of the league's better quarterbacks, he must stand out and compete in these games.
The former Alabama standout has typically played up to his competition, especially in recent years. But with the Broncos looking like a team capable of going deep into the postseason, only supreme conviction will suffice.
As it turned out, Young played pretty well, but it wasn't enough for the Panthers to end their alarming recent slump.
With that in mind, here are five major observations from Young's performance against the Broncos at Bank of America Stadium.
Major observations from Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young's performance against the Broncos
Bryce Young's early rhythm
Bryce Young didn't have much time to get into a groove early in the contest. The Denver Broncos controlled the clock during their opening drives, with the rushing attack leading the way. This limited the signal-caller's opportunities during the opening exchanges, and it looked like the timing was off.
Young didn't look in sync. The Broncos' defense had his number, and the coverage downfield made things even more complicated for the offense.
Things just didn't click right out of the gate. Young was commanding things well pre-snap, but there was clear hesitancy. It's a pressured situation, so there were bound to be some nerves against high-caliber opposition. But that didn't make it any less frustrating.
As such, the Panthers got into an early hole. Denver is among the worst teams to play from behind against, so it needed Young to show real resolve to fight back. Thankfully, things did get a little better as the game went on, but these slow starts from the entire team are proving complicated.
If the Panthers want to get their season back on track, they have to get out on the front foot early. And aside from a couple of nice moments, they aren't doing that frequently enough.
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