The Panthers got exactly the kind of red-zone day they’ve been chasing.
Against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Carolina went a spotless 4-for-4 once it got inside the 20. That’s a sharp turn from last year, when the Panthers finished with touchdowns on just 42.1% of their red-zone trips, which ranked 21st in the NFL.
It’s one game, sure. But the difference was easy to see.
Under Bryce Young and Dave Canales, that part of the field had been a problem. With Brad Idzik in the mix, it looked a lot cleaner.
What stood out most was the approach. Carolina didn’t get to the red zone and suddenly tighten up.
It didn’t fall into the old habit of feeding the backs over and over near the goal line. The Panthers kept attacking.
On the opening touchdown drive, Carolina ran twice in the red zone - including a first-and-one carry that got stuffed and another run after a penalty pushed them back - but otherwise leaned on the pass. That included the scoring throw and the touchdown to Darren Waller that got wiped out.
The next touchdown drive followed the same general idea. The Panthers threw from the 21, then ran unsuccessfully before going back to the air on two of the final three snaps. Young’s rushing touchdown came on a scramble, which still fit the overall picture: they were trying to throw, not just grind their way in.
The third touchdown drive started with a nine-yard catch by Mitchell Evans from Bryce Young, a play that helped set up a Chuba Hubbard run for the score. Even there, the Panthers were working forward through the air first before finishing the job on the ground.
And the final touchdown drive was all pass. Carolina opened with an 18-yard completion, had another one-yard touchdown erased, then got a scramble and finished with the throw to Jalen Coker.
That’s the key takeaway: the Panthers stayed aggressive and didn’t become predictable near the goal line. That’s the formula they need to carry into Week 2 against the Falcons, who bring a much stronger defense.
Carolina also has the kind of height and length that plays in the red zone, and it showed. Counting the touchdowns that were called back, Young’s scoring passes on the day went to Mitchell Evans, Darren Waller, Jalen Coker, and Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard was the exception, since he was wide open as a checkdown.
The Panthers were smart, aggressive, and effective. Now the challenge is keeping that same edge in Week 2.
In Other News...
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Bryce Young Gave Panthers Fans Hope They Still Dont Fully Trust
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Youngs showing was enough to remind fans why the franchise still has a chance to point itself in the right direction, but the trust is clearly not all the way back. Fan confidence in the teams direction has slipped a bit, and a sizable chunk of the fan base still views Young and offensive coordinator Brad Idziks work as only average or worse, which leaves Carolina with hope, concern and plenty to prove in the weeks ahead. [Read more 🡒]