Wins haven’t been easy to come by for Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers over the past two years. The past two weeks, however, have told a much different (and much happier) story.
Young spoke with reporters following Sunday’s 20-17 walk-off win over the New York Giants. The victory, Carolina’s second in a row, saw the former No. 1 overall pick complete 15 of his 25 throws for 126 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.
He was asked what he’s learned about his team in their pair of triumphs.
“Just the resilience of this team,” he replied. “Overtime win today, win last week that was back and forth with a good drive to take the game and the defense coming up big with a stop with just a one-point lead. Just the resilience.
“It hasn’t been always the prettiest, hasn’t been perfect. But just us being able to stick together, trust in each other, play for each other—I think has just been the biggest thing that’s stood out.”
As it did for Young and the offense, the resilience proved valuable for the defense—even in a pretty ugly drive to end regulation. After allowing the Giants to score a game-tying field goal off a 12-play, 55-yard drive late in the fourth quarter, defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson and linebacker Josey Jewell teamed up for a forced fumble and recovery on the very first play of overtime.
Four plays later, kicker Eddy Piñeiro booted through the game-clinching 36-yard field goal. The successful kick gave the Panthers their first overtime victory since 2015.
Young was then asked what he’s learned about himself during the run.
“Honestly, the same,” he replied. “Just leanin’ on this team. We’ve had a lot of different moments. We’ve had a lot of adversity. And for me, just the ability to know on offense I have ten other guys that I know are gonna do their job, I know are gonna compete, that I’m grateful to go to war with. And the defense being the same, having all the faith in the world in them. Not saying it’s different—it’s just great, us, growing in that together.”
The Panthers, since returning Young to the starting lineup in Week 8, are 2-1 over his last three starts.
