by Dennis Cox
The Panthers are way too inconsistent on offense: If there’s one that describes the Carolina Panthers on offensive – it’s ‘inconsistent.’ Inconsistent quarterback play. Inconsistent play calling. Inconsistent run game. Inconsistent results. The Panthers have as more games with 16 or less points this season (seven) than they do with 20-plus points scored (five).
But what’s concerning is that after big wins, like Week 9 at Green Bay, or Week 11 at Atlanta, the offense has fallen flat the following week. After 16-13 win at the Packers where Rico Dowdle ran the ball 25 times for 130 yards and two TDs, the Panthers only managed seven points the following week against the New Orleans Saints, with the lone TD for the Panthers coming on a drive that extended due to a roughing the passer call on a play where Bryce Young threw a bad interception, and Dowdle only had 53 yards rushing.
Then after Bryce Young throws for a franchise record 448 yards in a 30-27 OT win against the Falcons, the offense comes back with just 10 points against San Francisco, despite the defense getting three first half interceptions of 49ers QB Brock Purdy, which resulted in only three points for the Panthers. Young finished 18 or 29 for 168 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs.
The Panthers rarely string together great offensive production, let alone good, on a week to week basis.
Bryce Young wasn’t there when it was needed: Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales and QB Bryce Young had a prime opportunity in the first half to capitalize on what the defense gave them in the first half – which was THREE interceptions, two of which gave the Panthers the ball in San Francisco territory. The Panthers came away with just three points on just those turnovers.
The key point early in the game was after Jaycee Horn’s first INT gave the Panthers the ball at the San Francisco 16 yard line, the Panthers ran the ball three straight times (RAN THE BALL!!!) to set up 1st & goal from the 49ers’ 1-yard line. Canales went with heavy personnel and elected for a rollout pass to the right with Young. Young had a clean look to run the ball with a blocker in front of him, but instead elected to try and throw the ball over traffic to tight end Mitchell Evans in the back of the endzone. The pass was intercepted by Ji’Ayir Brown for a touchback, killing the chance of gaining much needed momentum early in the game. The opportunity - and game for that matter - were there for the taking, and Young failed when it was needed.
On passes to targets that were 10 to 19 yards downfield, Young was just 1 of 7 with two INTs, one week after going 9 of 13 passing in that range in a career day against the Falcons.
Bryce Young had the opportunity to validate his performance against Atlanta with another strong game, but instead put up another dud. It was the ninth game this season for Young throwing for under 200 yards, seventh game with a turnover, and fourth game with multiple turnovers this season. Young had the chance to show he’s the guy for this Panthers franchise at quarterback, but after 11 starts into year three, we haven’t seen nearly enough high-level play to warrant that consideration.
Defense gave the team a chance: After allowing a long touchdown drive to start the game, the Panthers defense gave the offense every opportunity to get back in the game. Jaycee Horn intercepted 49ers QB Brock Purdy twice, while fellow cornerback Mike Jackson also picked off Purdy, all coming in the first half. Unfortunately for the defense, the Panthers only scored three points off those turnovers.
The Panthers offense did no favors to help the defense, not just on the scoreboard, but by not sustaining drives, Carolina’s defense was forced to stay on the field too long. As a result, the 49ers with running back Christian McCaffrey were able to wear down the Panthers’ defense and control the clock, holding the ball for 37:42 on 70 offensive plays, compared to just 22:18 time of possession on 43 plays for the Panthers.
McCaffrey was held to 89 yards on 24 carries (3.7 yards per carry), but added seven catches for 53 yards, while tight ends George Kittle caught six passes for 78 yards as San Francisco was able to grind down on the defense as the game progressed. But in all, Carolina’s defense gave the team a chance.