Bryce Young’s connection with Adam Thielen has been one of the few bright spots for the Panthers this season.
The duo paved the way for the Panthers (1–6) to record their first win of the season after a clutch fourth-down conversion in the 15–13 victory against the Texans last week. Young flashed why he was the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft during the game-winning drive, and was put in a position to succeed on the fourth-and-2 play from the Houston 47-yard line to eventually set up Eddy Pineiro’s deciding 23-yard field goal as time expired.
Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who recently took over play-calling duties from coach Frank Reich, dialed up a simple but creative play to make the Texans second-guess whether Young would throw to his favorite target on the critical play. Thielen, wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. and running back Miles Sanders lined up to the left of Young.
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Houston guessed right because two defenders stayed with Thielen, but Young’s pinpoint accuracy helped him make the tight-window throw for the three-yard completion. Also, the Panthers’ play design made the Texans’ defenders collide to allow Thielen to break free on the out-route.
The Panthers’ fourth-down play was one of three calls that we liked in Week 8 of the NFL season. There were also three plays that we questioned.
Calls we liked
Bills go hurry-up to break offensive funk
The Bills (5–3) didn’t overthink during the win against the Buccaneers, opting for a hurry-up offense early in the game to quickly establish a rhythm for quarterback Josh Allen, who helped build a 10–0 advantage.
Also, the Bills allowed Allen to utilize his legs, something he hasn’t done much this season. With Allen playing freely, the Bills delivered their best offensive performance in a month after a dreadful three-game stretch against the Patriots, Giants and Jaguars.
Allen’s versatility allowed his playmakers to break free from the Buccaneers’ stout defense. Gabe Davis and Dalton Kincaid found the end zone, and Stefon Diggs and Khalil Shakir moved the chains. Allen threw for 324 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown.
The Bills would rather limit the hits for Allen, but his seven carries helped his team break out of their offensive funk.
Cowboys’ special teams steps up again
The Cowboys (5–2) have one of the best special teams in the league, while the Rams have one of the worst special teams. That was noticeable during the Cowboys’ dominant 43–20 win over the Rams (3–5) last week.
Defensive lineman Sam Williams blocked a punt for a safety, and wide receiver KaVontae Turpin had a 63-yard punt return to help the Cowboys build a 33–3 lead in the first half. Also, the Cowboys made the right call to make Brandon Aubrey their new kicker. The former pro soccer defender made two more field goals to start his career with 18 consecutive successful attempts, tying an NFL record.
Brett Maher kicked field goals for the Cowboys last season. He was recently cut by the Rams.
Calls we questioned
Rams’ Stafford injures thumb on two-point conversion
The Rams got plenty wrong with their special teams, but their biggest mistake was turning Matthew Stafford into a wide receiver for a two-point conversion, despite Stafford hitting his throwing thumb on a helmet earlier in the game.
Rams coach Sean McVay said Stafford didn’t injure his thumb until his diving catch. Los Angeles was down 33–17 after the two-point conversion in the third quarter. Now, Stafford might be forced to miss Sunday’s game in Green Bay because of the strange decision to have him make a catch with a banged-up thumb.
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Giants’ conservative call opens door for Jets
Graham Gano’s missed field goal gave the Jets hope during their stunning 13–10 comeback overtime win against the Giants. But Giants coach Brian Daboll had an opportunity to seal the game during the final minute of regulation. He settled for the missed field-goal attempt on fourth-and-1 from the Jets’ 17-yard line.
With the Jets struggling to score most of the game, Daboll should have allowed his offense to gain the one yard with a three-point advantage. Daboll probably didn’t want to put his inexperienced quarterback, Tommy DeVito, in that position. But the Giants could have easily called a running play for Saquon Barkley.
But, as always, hindsight is 20/20. The Jets received an extra opportunity after Gano’s missed field goal, and Zach Wilson stepped up with big-time throws to Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard.
Packers’ offense continues to struggle
Packers coach Matt LaFleur had plenty to prove in his first season without Aaron Rodgers. After seven games, LaFleur hasn’t done much to debunk the narrative that his success as a head coach was primarily because of Rodgers.
LaFleur might have the worst offense in the league with a struggling Jordan Love under center. The Packers have lost four straight games and have been held to 20 points or less in five consecutive games.
Their worst performance occurred last week in the 24–10 loss to the Vikings. The Packers turned over the ball on downs on each of their final three drives. LaFleur, whose background is offense, hasn’t made life easier for Love with his play-calling decisions.
