Bryce Young didn’t waste any time making sure Chuba Hubbard knew exactly what kind of day he’d had.
After Carolina’s 25-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, the Panthers quarterback kept after his running back, with Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reporting that Young “wouldn't leave” Hubbard alone. Hubbard said Young was presenting him a little after the win over the Eagles.
It made sense. Hubbard powered the Carolina ground game with 28 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown, while Young delivered another clean outing through the air with 281 passing yards and two touchdowns. Together, they helped the Panthers close the game in control, chewing up the final 4:26 on a nine-play drive.
That finish mattered as much as anything else on Sunday. Philadelphia was shorthanded and had to go to backup quarterback Tanner McKee, but the Eagles still pushed back some. Carolina answered with a defense that got the stop it needed and an offense that handled the closing sequence methodically.
For Hubbard, that kind of ending says plenty about how far the Panthers have come. The defending NFC South champs are the only team above .500 in the division, and that puts them in first place heading into October while the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers sort out what they want to be.
Young has been right at the center of it. His growth has become one of the league’s main storylines, and his numbers back it up: 1,549 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. In the NFC South, he’s been the most effective quarterback, and that’s a big reason Carolina is leading the way before Week 7.
Hubbard pointed to the quarterback’s steady climb, noting that Young has gotten better each season and is now making throws not many quarterbacks in the league can make. He also credited Young’s calm presence for helping the offense trust itself in big moments.
Carolina’s next test comes at home against the 1-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s still unclear whether Baker Mayfield will be ready to return after the thumb injury he suffered against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3.
Even with the record they carry, the Buccaneers have been anything but easy to dismiss. Backup undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels guided them to a win over the Dallas Cowboys on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 5, and Tampa Bay pushed the Pittsburgh Steelers to overtime on Sunday before coming up short.
In Other News...
Andy Dalton's Next Move Still Matters For Panthers Fans
Andy Daltons next move is still worth watching in Carolina, even if the Panthers are not directly involved in his latest decision. After being acquired by the Eagles in an offseason trade, the veteran quarterback settled in as a backup before roster issues led to a demotion and eventual release. Philadelphia still had interest in bringing him back, but Dalton declined the chance to re-sign, leaving his immediate future open as the quarterback market keeps shifting.
For Panthers fans, the interest is less about where Dalton lands than what his path says about the leagues quarterback shuffle and the value of experienced depth. The Eagles have already moved on by adding Joe Milton after injuries hit their quarterback room, but Daltons refusal to return suggests he is waiting for a situation that fits better than a rushed reunion. Where he ends up could still matter to Carolina followers keeping an eye on every ripple around the position. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Add More QB Insurance As NFC South Picture Gets Trickier
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Dalton arrives with 16 seasons of NFL experience, which gives the Falcons a proven backup option as the injury situation continues to cloud the depth chart. For Carolina, it is another reminder that the NFC South picture can change quickly, especially when one team is forced to keep adjusting at quarterback on the fly. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Could Catch Tampa In A Very Different Week 7 Setup
Baker Mayfield sat out his third straight game Sunday as the Buccaneers fell to the Steelers in overtime, and Tampa Bay now heads into a Week 7 setup that could look a lot different by the time it faces Carolina. Head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield is expected back at practice on Wednesday, giving the Bucs a chance to see whether their starting quarterback can move toward a return after missing extended time.
For Carolina, the uncertainty matters as much as the result in Pittsburgh. Rookie Jalon Daniels has handled the offense in Mayfields absence and would keep the job if Mayfield is not ready, leaving the Panthers to prepare for two possible looks from a division rival. It is the kind of midweek quarterback watch that can shape the whole tone of a matchup before either team even gets to Sunday. [Read more 🡒]