The Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars have ended up on two different paths this season. But if all goes right for the former group of cats this weekend, the latter may be joining them.
Here are the biggest storylines for the Week 17 matchup:
Twice Young?
Although the Panthers didn’t come away with a win last Sunday, Bryce Young’s career outing felt like a huge victory in itself.
The No. 1 overall pick produced like a No. 1 overall pick, completing 23 of his 36 throws for 312 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Not only did he break the 300-yard passing mark for the first time, but he also notched season-bests in yards per attempt (8.7) and passer rating (110.0).
Young will have another chance to put up some more sexy stats against the fourth-most generous passing defense in the NFL. Over their current four-game losing streak, the Jaguars have allowed 279.8 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks.
So, can Bryce make his numbers twice as nice?
T-Law-less
Speaking of opposing quarterbacks, Carolina won’t be seeing Jacksonville’s . . . or at least the one who usually starts.
A fourth injury was one too many for Trevor Lawrence, who has been ruled out of the contest due to a sprained AC joint. Week 17 will mark the first game Lawrence has missed since entering the league—a 49-game streak that remained intact this year through a knee bruise, a high-ankle sprain and a concussion.
So, no, we won’t be seeing 2023’s No. 1 overall pick go throw for throw with 2021’s No. 1 overall pick. Instead, the Panthers will be seeing C.J. Beathard, who will be making his first start since 2020.
Spoiler Alert!
If you’re expecting the Jaguars to bounce the Panthers like Meadowlark Lemon, you may be sadly mistaken.
Sunday will mark the Panthers’ third straight opportunity to play spoiler, and they did pretty well in their first two shots. They landed a damaging hit on the Atlanta Falcons’ playoff hopes with a win in Week 15 and nearly chopped off the Green Bay Packers’ season in a nail-biter on Christmas Eve.
At 8-7, the Jaguars are hanging on to the AFC South lead by mere tiebreakers. So they can’t afford to slip, as the 8-7 Indianapolis Colts and 8-7 Houston Texans sit on par.
With Jacksonville’s starting quarterback down and Carolina’s fresh off a breakout performance, this won’t be a normal clash between a two-win and an eight-win team.
