The Carolina Panthers (2-7) hadn’t won a game on Mint Street in 322 days. But on Sunday, with 2023 first overall pick, QB Bryce Young, leading the offense, the Panthers finally defeated a team on their home turf, one-upping the New Orleans Saints (2-7) — their NFC South division rivals — in a back-and-forth 23-22 win at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina was down by five points with 4:15 left in the fourth quarter, and instead of the common cowering against relatively lowly opponent, Young and head coach Dave Canales put forth enough offensive production to earn the team’s second win of the campaign, matching last year’s win total in nine games.
Young, who returned to the starting lineup last week in Denver, boosted his stock with a steady performance behind a makeshift offensive line that missing left tackle Ikem Ekwonu. With fill-in starting center Brady Christensen working the blindside, and backup center Cade Mays filling in for Christensen (who was filling in for injured starter Austin Corbett), Young was able to lead the offense on four scoring drives. Ultimately, Young won the game on a drive that was largely anchored by him.
He completed a huge pass to rookie Xavier Legette and drew a drive-enhancing pass-interference penalty to clinch the win with a rushing touchdown with 2:18 left in the game. Panthers QB Bryce Young’s stats vs. Saints: Young led four scoring drives, completing 16 of 26 passes for 171 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
He had a passe.
