The Carolina Panthers ended their preseason on a high note, defeating the Buffalo Bills in their final exhibition on Saturday afternoon.
So, for one last time this summer, let’s pick some winners from the 31-26 victory . . .
Starting offense
It may have taken until the very last preseason game, but we finally got our sneak peek at quarterback Bryce Young and (most of) the starting offense. And boy, it was worth the wait.
Young led a clean 12-play, 85-yard touchdown drive on the game’s opening possession—completing six of his eight throws for 70 yards. The charge was capped off by an 8-yard reception in the end zone by tight end Jordan Matthews, who also reeled in an 8-yarder to begin the trek.
In all, Young connected with a total of five pass catchers on the drive—including wideouts Diontae Johnson (17 yards), Adam Thielen (21 yards) and Jonathan Mingo (3 yards) as well as rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders (13 yards). So while this was just one touch in an exhibition game against Buffalo’s backups, it sure was nice to see a functioning offense—especially with Bryce on the field.
QB Jack Plummer
Young wasn’t the only Panthers quarterback who impressed this afternoon.
Plummer put forth his most poised and polished preseason performance of the summer, completing 21 of his 29 chucks for 278 yards and two scores. The undrafted rookie’s efforts helped the Panthers finish with 414 yards of total offense and four touchdowns, after coming in with only 307 total yards and one touchdown in their previous two summer contests combined.
Unfortunately for Plummer, his chances of making the team’s initial 53-man roster remain slim. But at least he put together some eye-opening tape to punctuate off his busy offseason—whether that leads to Carolina’s practice squad or to another NFL locker room.
WR Terrace Marshall Jr.
One of Plummer’s touchdowns ended up in the hands of Marshall Jr., who finished with three receptions for 39 yards. His score wasn’t a cheapie either, as he fought through a pair of would-be tacklers for a 15-yard trip to the end zone.
The 2021 second-round pick has been battling for one of the final spots in the team’s receiving room, a fight that features veteran David Moore—who has previous ties to head coach Dave Canales from both Seattle and Tampa Bay. Marshall Jr. may also have to fend off Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who sustained an ankle injury during the game.
RB Mike Boone
Boone proved he was much more than just a body this summer.
The 29-year-old rusher racked up 20 yards and a touchdown on four carries. He has now ended preseason play with 76 rushing yards on 18 attempts, good enough for a solid 4.2 yards per tote.
With Canales’ intent on establishing the run as well as the early absence of rookie and second-round pick Jonathon Brooks, Boone may have earned himself the backfield’s No. 3 role behind Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders.
