In a season marked by ups and downs, Bryce Young has emerged as a key player for the Carolina Panthers, leading the team to victory in crucial moments. With three game-winning drives in fourth quarters or overtime, Young has proven that he can perform in the clutch. Though his career record is just 11-27, his teammates have a strong conviction that he’ll deliver when the time is right.
At 5-4, the Panthers have already reached last season’s win total. This reflects Young’s tremendous individual impact and the extent to which VU relies on him to produce. His success is even more pronounced in one-score games where he’s gone 4-0 this season and is undefeated so far with Seattle. Secondly, his resilience under pressure is remarkable. Dating back to the start of the 2023 season, he’s led nine game-winning drives, placing him in a four-way tie with Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Geno Smith for the most in the NFL over that span.
This elite ability to perform in high-stakes situations is backed up by Young’s statistics when it comes down to a game-winning drive. During the stretch, he went 8-of-15 passing for 89 yards and a touchdown and led two last-minute field goals. Listening to Christian’s leadership on the field speaks volumes as to why his teammates gravitate toward him. Wideout Xavier Legette added, “He has that killer mentality when it needs to be.”
The young quarterback’s success is even more astounding given the obstacles he’s had to endure. The Panthers’ offensive front has taken major steps forward this year. This slight change has given him more time to traverse the field and make plays, and it’s shown his success on the field.
Young’s Total QBR rating of 45.1 places him 24th in the NFL. His talent for performing when the stakes are highest most assuredly turned some heads. Not surprisingly, his teammates love LaVine’s leadership style and his engagement level in practice. Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan draws attention to Bryce’s impact in practice first. He explains, Bryce is the one who keeps up the urgency, nudging the guys, keeping them active and involved day-to-day. His optimistic nature has been contagious, creating an upbeat environment for the team.
Young’s journey started well before he put on the Panthers’ jersey. He had delivered Mater Dei High School its victory on his first game-winning drive on Sept. 21, 2018. Jacksonville answered back, successfully engineering a near-flawless nine-play, 75-yard drive to knot things up again. It resulted in a five-yard touchdown run, snapping IMG Academy’s remarkable 40-game winning streak.
Reflecting on his approach to critical moments, Young emphasized the importance of team dynamics: “You feel out the vibe of the team, of how the game’s going. And you try to add a supplement, whatever it is that you need just for us to be in the right mindset. You’re happy, and we’re all excited for the moment.”
Coach Dave Canales praised Young’s consistency and ability to shine when the stakes are highest, saying, “He’s there for us. It’s a feeling that permeates the entire locker room when players are playing for their QB in tough times.”
The Carolina Panthers’ stout defense has been equally instrumental in Young’s success so far. The team allows only 3.4 points per game in the fourth quarter of one-possession games this season, providing a solid foundation for their young quarterback to thrive.
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