Bryce Young had more criticism thrown his way throughout the week. The Carolina Panthers suffered a demoralizing loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, and the quarterback's erratic display was a big reason why.
More questions surfaced about whether Young was the right signal-caller to lead the Panthers beyond 2025. Confidence remains high in the building, but a massive response was needed in another daunting challenge at Bank of America Stadium.
The last team Carolina probably wanted to see was whether the Los Angeles Rams were before the bye week. They held the NFC's No. 1 seed, and Matthew Stafford had thrown no fewer than 27 touchdowns without an interception. Young had to meet fire with fire — easier said than done versus a well-rounded defense boasting ferocious playmakers at all three levels of the field.
Nobody was expecting much from Carolina in this one. They were heavy underdogs for the clash, and with good reason. But looking at how things have unfolded for the Panthers when their backs are against the wall this season, playing with an extra sense of freedom seems to be working well for head coach Dave Canales' squad.
As it turned out, the Panthers sent a seismic shift to beat the Rams, and Young was nothing short of outstanding throughout.
With this in mind, here are five significant observations from Young's performance against the Rams.
Major observations from Bryce Young's performance against the Rams
Bryce Young's pocket navigation
The Carolina Panthers made an emphasis to get Bryce Young on the move right out of the gate. His mobility and pocket manipulation are underrated parts of his game. It also allows the former Alabama standout to get himself into a rhythm, which was essential versus high-caliber opposition.
Young did most of his damage outside the structure. Standing in the pocket for too long would have been his demise against the Los Angeles Rams' fierce pass rush. This lets him be creative, and the results spoke for themselves during the opening exchanges.
There is enough evidence to suggest this should be Young's plan of attack moving forward. He's got the athleticism and football IQ to be highly successful beyond the pocket. It also keeps opposing defenses on their toes, knowing how dangerous the Heisman Trophy winner can be as a dual-threat asset.
Even more encouraging was the fact that Young's ankle injury didn't seem to be bothering him at all. And the more success he had, the more comfortable he became.
Bryce Young's solid first half
To say that Bryce Young needed to start this game well would be an understatement. The spotlight was burning bright on the signal-caller after another dismal outing in Week 12. But as has typically been the case throughout his eventful three-year career, he finds a way to bounce back in the face of adversity.
Young had a decent first half against the Los Angeles Rams. He didn't take many risks, but he efficiently moved the football behind a more run-first philosophy implemented by head coach Dave Canales. Had first-round rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan brought in a deep shot, things would have looked a lot better.
A more methodical approach worked well for Young. There was no need to force the issue, and the defensive pick-six from veteran cornerback Mike Jackson Sr. gave the Carolina Panthers a tremendous foundation from which to build. This was also reflected in the stats, which were solid if not spectacular.
- 63.64 percent completion
- 81 passing yards
- 1 touchdown
- 0 interceptions
- 1 sack against
- 27 rushing yards (2 carries)
- 116.1 passer rating (ESPN)
More importantly, the Panthers were surprisingly competitive. They were in the game, giving the Rams much more to think about than most had envisaged. And Young did a good job of keeping things ticking over.
Bryce Young's connection with Jalen Coker
Outside of Tetairoa McMillan, the Panthers' pass-catchers have mainly been underwhelming this season. But to keep up with the Los Angeles Rams, Bryce Young needed others to step up in the pressure cooker.
Young got his wish. And it was second-year wideout Jalen Coker who came to the fore.
Coker was expected to have a breakout this season. Getting injured one day after the Panthers traded Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings was a devastating blow at the worst possible time. It's taken a while to find his feet again, but Young's trust in the former Holy Cross sensation has never wavered.
The Mater Dei High School product has fantastic chemistry with Coker. It hasn't been evident nearly enough throughout the campaign, but this tandem came to life versus an improving Rams secondary.
Young looked for Coker in key moments. It wasn't easy under challenging conditions, but his beautiful touchdown throw, expertly brought in by the 2024 undrafted free agent, was precise and perfectly timed. This also got the Panthers back in front in the third quarter.
Coker eventually finished the game with four catches from six targets for 74 receiving yards and one touchdown. Hopefully, this encouraging outing can provide Young with the springboard to use more effectively after the bye week.
Dave Canales played to Bryce Young's strengths
Much has been made about the dynamic between Bryce Young and head coach Dave Canales. Accusations about the Carolina Panthers not trusting the signal-caller enough have been rife in recent days. But in all honesty, it's just a lot of smoke without much substance attached.
Carolina's defeat to the San Francisco 49ers prompted Canales to alter his strategy significantly. The Panthers have a firm grasp of Young's strengths by now. Thankfully, in this one, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator played to them.
The Panthers adopted a run-heavy offense with great success. This allowed Young to dictate the tempo, something he does exceptionally well. Not every throw was accurate, but he got the football out quickly and on time. When opportunities to push the football downfield arose, there was genuine conviction in his mindset.
Canales doesn't need to get too cute with Young. He's a good game manager capable of moving the chains methodically. While he might not ever become the elite difference-maker who can take over games almost single-handedly, there is more than one way to be successful in the NFL.
Carolina has to have the same approach after the bye week. Anything less is unnecessarily overcomplicating matters.
Bryce Young bounced back emphatically
Bryce Young was ridiculed and lambasted in equal measure by sections of the media after his wayward outing against the San Francisco 49ers. Fans were even starting to doubt his credentials, but the signal-caller answered all his critics with a highly positive performance versus a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
The Panthers pushed the Rams right to their limit. Young was surgical under center, displaying the sort of composure, poise, and escapability that made him such a coveted draft prospect once upon a time. He never flustered down the stretch, going toe to toe with Matthew Stafford and giving the Rams endless problems in the process.
The result was a stunning upset. Young might not have broken the franchise record for passing yards in this one, but one could say this outing was arguably more impressive than his dominant performance against the Atlanta Falcons. He also silenced his ever-growing list of doubters, at least for one week.
Carolina shocked the NFL to its foundations. They pulled off a memorable victory when most thought they would be obliterated. And when Young needed to come through in the clutch once again, his pinpoint throw to Jalen Coker ensured he delivered the goods.
And now, the Panthers are right in the thick of things.