It wasn't pretty, and there is still a lot that needs to be cleaned up. However, the Carolina Panthers managed to overcome some setbacks en route to securing their fourth victory in the last five contests.
The New York Jets played their part. They were awful offensively, devoid of inspiration or ideas. Justin Fields was benched at halftime, and something was also amiss with running back Breece Hall. Carolina could only beat what was in front of them, which they managed to accomplish with minimal fuss.
This puts the Panthers at 4-3 through seven weeks. They haven't reached these heights since the 2021 season, but this feels different. It feels like Dave Canales' squad is ascending at the right time, and the fan base couldn't be more enthused as the midseason point approaches.
Confidence is building. This squad is maturing together. Their big-time performers are stepping up when needed most, and momentum is on their side. They are doing what's needed to get over the line, but they will get a stern measuring stick next time out when the Buffalo Bills visit Bank of America Stadium off their bye week.
That's for the near future. For now, here are five winners and two losers from Carolina's hard-fought triumph at Bank of America Stadium.
Winners and losers from the Carolina Panthers' victory over the NY Jets in Week 7
Winner No. 1
Carolina Panthers pass-rush
This unit has been much-maligned this season. Despite all the defensive improvements, the Carolina Panthers have struggled to generate enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Losing Patrick Jones II for the season with a back complication that required surgery wasn't exactly going to help the cause.
That all changed against the New York Jets. Carolina's front seven caused absolute havoc in pass-rushing situations. This all started in the trenches with Derrick Brown and A'Shawn Robinson, and the rookie duo of Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen also flashed immense promise.
According to Next Gen Stats, the Panthers recorded a season-high with 16 total pressures in Week 7. Their six sacks and 36.4 percent pressure success rate were also better than anything they've accomplished in 2025 previously. One game doesn't change much in the grand scheme of things, but it's a step on the right path nonetheless.
Per @NextGenStats: pic.twitter.com/HPp8Ri27M2
— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) October 20, 2025
Ensuring this becomes the standard moving forward is the next challenge. Achieving the same against Bills quarterback Josh Allen will be more testing. However, Buffalo's offensive line had a hard time picking up blitzes against the Atlanta Falcons, so another profitable afternoon couldn't be completely dismissed.
Winner No. 2
Tre'von Moehrig - Carolina Panthers S
More than a few eyebrows were raised when the Carolina Panthers gave safety Tre'von Moehrig a hefty contract to prise him from the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Based on his efforts over the last few weeks, this looks like money well spent.
Moehrig is a tone-setting force this defense didn't have last season. Ejiro Evero quickly recognized that the player's best work comes closer to the line of scrimmage, and he's deploying him effectively. There are still lapses in coverage on occasion, but his dominant outing against the New York Jets was just another fine example of the attributes he brings to the table.
The former TCU sensation always seemed to be around the action. Moehrig recognizes plays developing quickly and has the closing speed needed to reach the contact point. This has significantly aided Carolina's improving run defense, and it's also enabling the edge rushers to create havoc, knowing they have a strong support system behind them.
Loser No. 1
Chuba Hubbard - Carolina Panthers RB
Much was made about the Panthers' running back dynamic heading into the contest. Dave Canales didn't reveal which direction he would go, and Adam Schefter from ESPN reported that Carolina had been examining other backfield tandems around the league for ideas on how to split the workload.
Despite Rico Dowdle's exceptional resurgence over the last two games, the Panthers gave Chuba Hubbard the start. He's been missing with a calf issue, and it wasn't the most profitable return to the lineup from the Oklahoma State product.
Hubbard gained just 2.2 yards per carry. There were some lapses as a pass-protector, and there wasn't the same purposeful aggression in his running compared to Dowdle. Who's the better player is debatable, but the free-agent signing looks far more suited to maximize the strengths of Carolina's offensive line right now.
The 2021 fourth-round pick will still have a part to play, but this is a legitimate committee until further notice.
Winner No. 3
Derrick Brown - Carolina Panthers DL
It's hard to find the right words to describe just how good Derrick Brown is. The knee injury that restricted him to just one game during the 2024 campaign couldn't be further from anyone's mind. This is thanks in no small part to his dominant opening to the season.
Brown is almost unstoppable in one-on-one situations. Opposing teams struggle significantly to counteract his brute force and explosiveness, even when double-teamed. The Panthers are also giving him more pass-rushing opportunities this time around, which is bringing even more out of the former Auburn game-wrecker.
The Jets had no answer for Brown. He was throwing offensive linemen around at will, offering no running lanes and giving whoever was under center a torrid time in pass-rushing situations en route to two sacks. He's not only one of the league's ascending defensive linemen, but one could make a strong case for him being the best in the business right now.
Winner No. 4
Jaycee Horn - Carolina Panthers CB
Everyone associated with the Carolina Panthers knows how good Jaycee Horn is. Now that the team is dragging itself from obscurity and back into the limelight, the entire NFL is starting to catch on, too.
Horn is a shutdown cornerback in every sense of the term. Most teams are extremely wary about throwing in his direction, which is a mark of respect. The New York Jets didn't afford the former South Carolina standout the same courtesy, and they paid a heavy price.
The No. 8 pick in 2021 came down with an outrageous interception in the end zone. That didn't stop Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor from trying Horn again soon after, and it came with the same result.
On an afternoon where the Panthers needed their franchise cornerstones to step up, Horn delivered the goods. And his contract extension earlier this year already looks like money well spent.
Loser No. 2
Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers QB
This has nothing to do with Bryce Young's production on the field. It was another solid outing from the signal-caller, who didn't turn the football over, kept plays alive, and managed to come through in key moments. Unfortunately for the No. 1 pick in 2023, his afternoon was brought to an abrupt halt.
Young was seen hobbling off the field in the third quarter, and he immediately went to the locker room for further assessments. He was initially listed as questionable to return with an ankle injury, but it wasn't much longer before he was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
Perhaps more concerning was Young leaving MetLife Stadium in a walking boot. Further tests on the problem are coming in the next day or so, but if the Panthers are forced to trot out Andy Dalton at Bank of America Stadium when the Buffalo Bills come to town, the potential complications are there for all to see.
Hopefully, it won't come to that.
Winner No. 5
Xavier Legette - Carolina Panthers WR
There was an immense amount of criticism directed at wide receiver Xavier Legette earlier in the campaign. His performances weren't good enough, and critics were even questioning his commitment to the cause. Thankfully for the Panthers, the No. 32 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft is made of stern stuff.
Things are slowly coming together for Legette. There are still some things to work on — most notably his ability to create yards after the catch — but this performance represented another positive step in the right direction.
Legette provided the Panthers with a useful outlet in the passing game. He brought in no fewer than nine receptions from 11 targets for 92 receiving yards. The South Carolina product also managed to find the end zone again to further raise his influence.
This is another confidence boost for Legette, who is starting to put together some impressive displays. Although people were quick to write him off, the belief in his capabilities from those in the building is starting to yield the desired results.