The Panthers suffered a heartbreaking defeat. Carolina’s generally competent defense was hammered on the ground for the majority of the day, sabotaging one of the Panthers’ better offensive days in recent memory. With little over four minutes remaining, Carolina knotted the score at 30. A defensive stand could have put the Panthers in position to win late, but Ejiro Evero’s team surrendered a field goal with 22 seconds remaining.
Carolina regained possession with no timeouts. Bryce Young miraculously hit DJ Chark for 22 yards, then Adam Thielen for 22 more yards down to the Green Bay 31 as the clock ran down the last seconds of the game. Carolina hurried to the line to spike the it and line up for a potential game-tying field goal, but the ball hit the ground just a fraction of a second after the clock struck zero, dropping the Panthers to 2-13. Here’s what’s up and down in Carolina:
Bryce Young is getting older, Risers.
The Panthers’ rookie quarterback has had a difficult season, but he has looked better in the last two weeks than at any previous point this season. As a reminder, he led a 17-play, 90-yard drive that resulted in a walk-off, game-winning field goal against the Atlanta Falcons a week ago.
Young and the Panthers offense gained possession with 5:47 remaining in the game against Green Bay, behind by eight points. Following an incompletion, Bryce completed four consecutive throws for eight, twenty, and seventeen yards before scoring on a 10-yard pass to DJ Chark. Carolina made the two-point conversion with 4:05 remaining to tie the game.
Despite these valiant efforts, the comeback attempt came just short.
Young played the best game of his young career against the Packers. He was shaky early on and missed some simple throws, but he finished 23-of-36 for 312 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Bryce Young still has a lot of growing to do (pun intended), but he’s finishing the season on a high note.
The 1993 Thanksgiving game between the Dolphins and the Cowboys is worth revisiting.
“Trembling” in the face of a “Chark” strike
In this game, Tommy Tremble and DJ Chark shone. Tremble recorded four receptions for 59 yards, his most productive receiving game in three years. His previous best was 35 yards in his debut season in 2021.
Meanwhile, Chark has finally developed into the offensive weapon that the Panthers have hoped for since Week 1. Carolina nearly won the game thanks to his six receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Chark’s first season in Charlotte had been a flop. He had 26 receptions for 363 yards in 12 games before to the Green Bay game. He not only put up big statistics against the Packers, but he also delivered in the clutch with his fourth-quarter touchdown and another critical 22-yard reception with 19 seconds left as the Panthers looked to set up a game-tying field goal.
Luvu and Brown having a good time
Simply put Frankie Luvu and Derrick Brown in the Pro Bowl, and prepare All-Pro honors for Brown. Luvu finished with ten more tackles against the Packers, including a sack and a tackle for loss. Brown’s phenomenal season in the trenches continues with nine (!!!!) more tackles.
Mike Tolbert has simply constructed different
Mike Tolbert, one of my personal Panthers favorites, pounded the Keep Pounding drum to death on Sunday. He literally broke the drum open and continued to pound away. His zeal was contagious when he was playing, and nothing appears to have changed since he hung up his cleats, except perhaps a shirt size or two. Mike, I miss you!
Fallers D-Line’s coal lump
It was “On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, on Vixen” on Christmas Eve. Comet, Cupid, Donner…on Aaron Jones!” The Packers running back ripped through the Panthers defense for 127 yards on 21 carries, averaging six yards per carry. Carolina’s defense was not nearly as active or involved against the run as it usually is, and it cost the team in the end.
Not so quick, Eddy.
Eddy Pineiro, who is usually reliable, had a terrible game. In the third quarter, he missed an extra point, leaving the Panthers behind 23-16. The Panthers then scored a touchdown and converted a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter, but the conversion was called back due to a Panthers holding penalty. With the ball pushed back, Pineiro missed another extra point, bringing the score to 30-22. The Panthers’ kicker had a tough day.
