Dave Canales wanted to see a positive response from his players. The Carolina Panthers got complacent heading into their Week 10 game against the New Orleans Saints, and they paid a heavy price. This also provided everyone in the building with the wake-up call they needed at a critical time.
Standards slipped, but not for long. The Panthers came out against the Atlanta Falcons with renewed purpose, and they once again displayed their resolve in the clutch to come away with a stunning overtime victory.
With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers losing to the Buffalo Bills, the Panthers are now just half a game from the NFC South summit. Canales is keen for his team to take things one game at a time, but it's hard for fans not to be encouraged by how the campaign is unfolding after years in the proverbial NFL wilderness.
This performance also proved how much determination remains in the locker room. The players called each other out this week, and everyone came together to ensure the same mistakes didn't happen again. Greater tests are coming, but the Panthers have given themselves a shot to make the playoffs in Year 2 under Canales' leadership.
It's been a long time since the Panthers were playing meaningful football after Thanksgiving. But before then, here are five winners and two losers from Carolina's win at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Winners and losers from the Carolina Panthers' overtime statement against the Falcons
Winner No. 1
Corey Thornton - Carolina Panthers CB
The Carolina Panthers thought they'd found an undrafted gem in cornerback Corey Thornton. He made a significant impact over the summer to deserve his place on the 53-man roster. Ejiro Evero has developed the rookie gradually, but his display against the Atlanta Falcons was easily the most impressive of his fledgling career.
Thornton got a lot of reps as the big nickel, and he didn't look out of place whatsoever. He's picking up the nuances of playing the corner position against elite-level competition. He's growing in confidence, and although it's nowhere near the finished item just yet, the progress being made is immensely pleasing.
The Panthers got more from Thornton as the game wore on. He was excellent in coverage, particularly when targeted in two crucial down-and-distance situations. The former Louisville prospect gave Carolina a spark when it was needed, and this should be rewarded with more involvement down the stretch.
Dan Morgan identified Thornton as someone with a bright future. Not for the first time, the exceptional evaluator is being proven right.
Winner No. 2
Tre'von Moehrig - Carolina Panthers S
The Carolina Panthers made several impressive signings in 2025 free agency. Arguably, none have been more impactful over the course of the season than Tre'von Moehrig.
Moehrig was acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders at great expense. The Panthers had to pay a premium for his services, but the ferocious safety is providing bang for Carolina's buck. His tone-setting on the backend and at the defensive second level is precisely what this team lacked last season, and Week 11 was another fine example of these credentials benefiting the squad en route to a fantastic road win.
The former TCU star was relentless, providing physicality against the run and accomplished coverage support. Moehrig's 11 tackles led the team, and his effectiveness in blitzing responsibilities also had a positive impact on the game.
Carolina has questions at the other safety spot, but they have found a franchise cornerstone piece in Moehrig.
Loser No. 1
Chandler Zavala - Carolina Panthers OL
Dave Canales raised a few eyebrows by making Chandler Zavala the starting right guard over Austin Corbett. The 2023 fourth-round selection hasn't played much this season due to injury. Still, the head coach thought he'd done enough in practice to warrant prominent reps against a quality Atlanta Falcons defensive front seven.
The Panthers won in overtime, but Zavala struggled to build any positive momentum. He was slow into his stances, and the technical flaws that have blighted his career so far were rife. The North Carolina State product's lack of awareness was also glaring, as evidenced by stepping on quarterback Bryce Young's already-injured ankle, which could have been much worse.
Carolina is greatly missing Pro Bowl guard Robert Hunt. He might be done for the entire year, so the Panthers need to think long and hard about what the best path forward is on the right-hand side of the line.
Winner No. 3
Xavier Legette - Carolina Panthers WR
It's been another rollercoaster campaign from Xavier Legette. He's taken some heat from fans and the media, but this performance showed what he could bring to the Panthers if the scheme plays to his strengths.
Legette is a momentum player. If you get him going early, a profitable game won't be too far behind. His confidence can slip if there are mistakes right out of the gate, but they weren't evident at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
This was arguably Legette's best all-around performance since being drafted. 32 overall in 2024. The former South Carolina star stretched the field. He made tough catches look routine, and his blocking on running plays remains a bright spot in his development.
It's a new bar for Legette. He answered his critics emphatically. Hopefully, this can lead to a positive run at the business end of the campaign as the Panthers aim for NFC South championship glory.
Winner No. 4
Tetairoa McMillan - Carolina Panthers WR
The Carolina Panthers have a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver for the first time since D.J. Moore was traded to the Chicago Bears. And they don't win this game without the accomplished performance of first-round rookie Tetairoa McMillan.
Dan Morgan and Dave Canales had the conviction to take McMillan at No. 8 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Most thought they would take a defensive player with the selection, but the Panthers believed this was the spark that could ignite their offense. There is enough evidence to suggest those in power were correct in their assessments.
McMillan tormented the Atlanta Falcons almost from start to finish. His ability to create separation, the explosiveness to create yards after the catch, and his red-zone prowess came to the fore in no uncertain terms. The Arizona product brought in eight receptions from 12 targets for 130 receiving yards and two touchdowns. And he is firmly in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation.
Loser No. 2
D.J. Wonnum - Carolina Panthers OLB
As previously mentioned, it was hard to find holes in Carolina's performance. They fought hard to get over the line, and they caused the Falcons endless problems offensively. But if there was one player who once again failed to meet expectations on the defensive side of the football, it was D.J. Wonnum.
Wonnum's good work doesn't necessarily show up on the stat sheet. There were times when he got into the backfield, but it didn't happen consistently enough. The veteran edge rusher also displayed flaws when it came to setting the edge on running plays, and he is clearly being outperformed by rookie second-rounder Nic Scourton right now.
The Panthers need more from Wonnum, especially after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were beaten by the Buffalo Bills, leaving them only half a game out of first place in the NFC South. If he cannot raise performance levels, general manager Dan Morgan will likely go in a different direction next spring.
Winner No. 5
Bryce Young - Carolina Panthers QB
Bryce Young came in for scathing criticism after his lackluster performance against the New Orleans Saints. Some in the media began questioning whether he was the best man to lead the Panthers long-term. But, as has been the case throughout his career, he bounced back well.
Young must wish he could play the Falcons every week. The signal-caller has enjoyed phenomenal success against Atlanta throughout his career, and this was his most prolific performance yet. The Alabama product was nothing short of sensational, breaking Cam Newton's franchise record for most passing yards in a single game, adding three touchdowns to lead Carolina to prominence.
This silenced the doubters, at least for now. Young was spectacular, displaying the poise and ruthless determination that came through in the clutch once again. The fact that he was doing this in severe pain after reaggravating his ankle injury makes this outing even more impressive.