The NFL is a business of high highs and low lows, something the Carolina Panthers have experienced in just a two-week span.
Last Sunday, the winless lads had finally broken through—topping the Houston Texans for an emotional, walk-off victory. This Sunday, well . . .
Here are the biggest takeaways from Week 9’s 27-13 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts:
Bryce Young just had one of those days
It was just one of those days, that felt like a freight train. And unfortunately, the Panthers were the ones leaving with the blood stains.
The story of the loss was Young’s three interceptions, specifically the two that ended up in the hands of cornerback Kenny Moore II . . . who ended up in the end zone . . . twice. Carolina’s rookie quarterback made a pair of rookie decisions on the picks, as he threw blindly into the flat on the first and overthrew running back Miles Sanders on a screen for the second.
Young’s sour showing was particularly disappointing given what he had done in the Week 8 victory, keeping poised and flashing his playmaking ability in an impressive triumph. This Sunday, he was anything but those things.
But, no, it’s not time to hit the panic button on Bryce. Not even close.
It’s just time, much like Young did, to throw this one away and move on to the next game—which takes place in four days . . .
Defense stands tall again
We’ll get back to the eerie ending of that last slide in a bit. But first, let’s give some kudos to an admirable defensive offering from Ejiro Evero and his unit.
Even with the stockpile of injuries, the Panthers held the Colts to 198 total yards—their lowest output of the season. Carolina also limited the running back duo of Jonathan Taylor and Zach Moss, who came into the day with a combined average of 5.0 yards per attempts over the past two weeks, to just 74 yards on 25 carries (2.96).
Oh, and if not for the pick-sixes, they may have kept Indy to just 13 points. Not bad for a group missing linebackers Shaq Thompson, Justin Houston, Yetur Gross-Matos, Marquis Haynes, safeties Vonn Bell and Jeremy Chinn and cornerback Jaycee Horn.
Week 10 will be a particularly painful turnaround
Unfortunately, the Panthers may have to add a few more weighty names to that lengthy list we just rattled off.
Outside linebacker Brian Burns and cornerback CJ Henderson both made early exits with concussions. So, given that their next game is on Thursday, both players may have a difficult time clearing protocol to get on the field.
If so, there may be some blood and guts for Chicago Bears wideout DJ Moore to pick at.
