5 major observations from Bryce Young's performance against the Saints

Bryce Young hasn't enjoyed the best of fortunes against the New Orleans Saints throughout his three-year career so far. However, there was plenty of incentive for the Carolina Panthers quarterback to turn the tide in Week 15.

With the Atlanta Falcons shocking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, the Panthers had sole possession of the NFC South lead. Head coach Dave Canales knew that two wins over the next fortnight would clinch the division crown and book their place in the playoffs for the first time since 2017. They also knew that the job wasn't finished by any stretch of the imagination.

If that wasn't enough, Young and the Panthers also had revenge on their minds. They got way too complacent against the Saints earlier this season and paid for it with an upset loss at Bank of America Stadium. More concerning, New Orleans outlined the blueprint for making the signal-caller's life uncomfortable.

Young was confident he could make the required adjustments and take the Panthers to within one victory of winning the NFC South. As it turned out, Carolina shot itself in the foot way too many times, and they were swept by the Saints to blow a massive opportunity to seize the initiative.

With this in mind, here are five significant observations from Young's performance at the Caesars Superdome in Week 15.

Major observations from Bryce Young's performance against the Saints

Bryce Young on the move

The New Orleans Saints didn't throw anything new at Bryce Young in this one. Considering how well their strategy worked during the first encounter this season, the Carolina Panthers weren't expecting anything less.

New Orleans stayed disciplined on the edge. They managed to get a decent push from the interior, collapsing Young's pocket. This forced the former Alabama standout to get out of structure and make things happen.

This involved Young using his creativity and applying his improved risk assessment. There were some jaw-dropping moments, including his sidestep for a lofty gain on the ground and a unique arm angle to get the football to veteran tight end Tommy Tremble. Things would have been even better, too, if not for some concentration issues that led to others' mistakes.

Having the ability to improvise quickly is an underrated part of Young's game. As he gains more experience, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft is learning how to do this quicker and more frequently. The ground game was finding its rhythm, which always helps, but expect this part of his game to evolve next season and beyond.

Bryce Young's steady first half

It was important for quarterback Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers to steady themselves during the opening exchanges. They are entering uncharted territory, playing meaningful games in December with the playoffs in sight. Finding their footing and staying grounded was crucial.

There was nothing particularly special about Young's first-half showing. He was methodical, running the offense behind a strong rushing attack and making plays when it counted. It wasn't perfect, but the signal-caller protected the football well.

Had it not been for wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan dropping a catchable touchdown pass that was far from perfect, the Panthers would have had more than a three-point advantage going into the break. This was reflected in the stats, which were solid but far from spectacular.

• 63.64 percent completion
• 78 passing yards
• 0 touchdowns
• 0 interceptions
• 1 sack against
• 17 rushing yards (2 carries)
• 84.7 passer rating (ESPN)

Young wasn't the main reason Carolina had a slender advantage, but he wasn't hindering the team's competitiveness. Considering how things have unfolded for the Mater Dei High School graduate more often than not against the Saints, this couldn't be seen as anything other than positive.

But what came next was much more pivotal to the overall outcome.

Bryce Young turning the screw

Bryce Young notably raised the tempo to start the second half. There was a lot more urgency as the Carolina Panthers looked to extend their lead. The significance of making a statement on the half's opening drive wasn't lost on the signal-caller, and he came through when the team needed him most.

Young was going through his progressions efficiently. He made the correct reads and got plenty of help from his playmakers along the way.

Xavier Legette's supreme concentration brought in a tough catch. Chuba Hubbard's sensational run after the catch on third down kept the drive alive. This was swiftly followed by one of the game's genuine highlights courtesy of the Heisman Trophy winner.

With the end zone in sight, Young stayed patient in the pocket, waiting for one of his receivers to create just enough separation downfield. That guy was second-year undrafted free agent Jalen Coker, and his quarterback delivered a magnificent strike for the score.

This was another example of what Young can do under pressure. There is just no telling how things would have gone for Carolina if not for this statement score to restart proceedings. He recognized the magnitude of moments and is capable of turning the screw when required. That's why belief in his capabilities is growing.

Bryce Young's poise

Bryce Young has overcome significant adversity throughout his three-year career. He was once labeled among the biggest draft busts of the modern era after the Carolina Panthers benched him last season. He took his lessons to heart, came back stronger, and now believes there is nothing he cannot conquer.

This is no more evident than watching Young's poise. He's always in complete control. Things might not go his way all the time, but the signal-caller never alters course. He is always pushing forward with the ability to move swiftly from one play to the next, regardless of how it turned out.

These improvements were needed in no uncertain terms in the Week 15 pressure cooker. Young might be relatively small in stature compared to other quarterbacks, but he always stands tall. This is something his teammates feed off, and although head coach Dave Canales' rushing attack began to feel a little too predictable as the contest wore on, the quarterback was managing things well enough.

It was a grind. The Saints did a good job defensively once again, limiting the Panthers. Young had to fight for absolutely everything, but he managed to provide a sense of calm to ensure momentum didn't completely sap away down the stretch.

Bryce Young couldn't mask the Carolina Panthers' failings

Bryce Young has developed a sound reputation around the league for coming through in the clutch. The number of game-winning drives is astonishing when one considers how few contests the Carolina Panthers have won since he came into the fold, which speaks volumes about his resolve, focus, and consistency with everything on the line.

It was clear from early on that this game was going to be decided by razor-thin margins. The Panthers didn't play particularly well, but the result was all that mattered. As it turned out, the contest was tied with a little over two minutes remaining, and Young had the football.

This was the most pressure of any game-winning moment Young had experienced in the NFL previously. The Saints had all the momentum down the stretch, and it was going to be challenging to swing the pendulum.

That proved to be the case. Young tried valiantly, but most of the yards came with his legs. Receivers weren't getting open, and the pocket was collapsing too quickly. The Saints got the football back, and an inexplicable unnecessary roughness infringement by rookie safety Lathan Ransom was just enough for New Orleans to hit a game-winning field goal.

A disaster of epic proportions. But the Panthers are not out of the fight just yet.