For the first time in 10 years, the Carolina Panthers will play on Sunday Night Football when the Detroit Lions visit Bank of America Stadium. But their Week 4 matchup comes with a few significant storylines.
Carolina is facing an injury bug that dates back to the wild card game in January. They are missing most of their key starters on the offensive line and in the defensive backfield, along with issues elsewhere.
With a battered roster and an underwhelming offensive line, all eyes are on quarterback Bryce Young.
Bryce Young will have to carry the Carolina Panthers amid injury crisis
Once again, the pressure is on the poised fourth-year starter. A prime-time home game against a postseason-contending team gives Young a chance to put his team on his back.
This weekend is the first opportunity someone may get to watch Young this season. The NFL's passing yardage leader is off to a terrific start, one no one expected four weeks into the year. However, this isn't a surprise with how much command he has of the Panthers' offense.
Under offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, who has had his share of flaws in the first three weeks, Young has been allowed to control the pace at the line of scrimmage and has been given a vote of total confidence to run the offense as he sees fit.
So far, I have seen a much more aggressive downfield passer and the confidence you want from a franchise quarterback. He has missed some throws, especially last week in the loss to the Cleveland Browns, but Young is showing the things you want from a franchise quarterback.
A few challenges lie ahead: a porous offensive front, Lions superstar edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, and injuries on both sides of the ball.
Bryce Young can improve his extension hopes by weathering prime-time storm
Left guard Damien Lewis is out with a UCL tear in his elbow, raising questions about who will play in front of Young. Vertical threat wide receiver Xavier Legette is considered week-to-week with a knee injury, while the secondary is without star cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson Sr. for the foreseeable future.
Young himself was seen with a brace on his left knee during Thursday's practice. But he is going to play through the pain.
The former Alabama standout now faces a situation of proving he can put the team on his back again, this time under the lights and with a national audience watching on.
He did it twice against the Los Angeles Rams and the Miami Dolphins in Week 5 last fall, in two of the last three weeks against the Chicago Bears, and for much of the contest against Cleveland.
Many expect a shootout, a high-scoring affair in Charlotte. Young will need to put his pass-catchers in spots to succeed, and he has shown he can do that. I get the sense the tight ends will play a large role in the offensive game plan.
However, Young shouldn't have to drop back 50 times a game to carry Carolina. Idzik must do his part to build a balanced attack and find consistency in the run game.
Yet, this is one of Young's big moments of the season, with more to come after the bye week. It isn't a defining time, but the Panthers must enter their much-needed off week with positive momentum.
All eyes on No. 9.
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