When Browns scored for late lead, it seemed like a long time ‘lose one they shouldn’t’ flaw in Panthers history, and those usually sting beyond ‘disappointing.’ Looking at team-individual stats, one that stood out all week was Young’s 26/48 passing, far below his usual accuracy, and Big Game Bryce looked under siege, but Chuba Hubbard had over 100 yds. offense, the Panthers D gave up less than 260. Couple guys injured (Horn), some previously out (Lloyd) return v. Detroit, subs (Lee) acquitted themselves well.
(Nahhh, this is from a bike accident 10 years ago. The Panthers just SEEM to be looking like an ER with their weekly Injury Report. Didn’t even get stitches- or did I? Oh right, six. For sure the concrete was hard.)
Got to peek at game while working my microeconomy job in suit sales, caught end of 3rd-4th quarter at home. It was low scoring, as trap games often are, a rally well within range, no strain, use Chuba, no clue why Watson was still playing football.
Every stat I heard seemed to give props for effective play calling by OC Brad Idzik. 11 completions- Worrell had a handful- to the TE position was almost historic, certainly nothing Panther fans have seen in quite a while. I don’t recall thinking Young was getting jailbreak-like rushes, but *someone* was loose/threatening in middle every time.
Alas! there’s the rub as one now sees- Young didn’t extra seconds to dial things in as in previous games. Efforts by tackles Mason Graham and Jared Verse et al is why Young had checkdown passes completed to TEs, but less than 100 from vaunted running game (Hubbard- 82 + 28 yds/TD rec.)
Its a very different Offensive Line
Panther fans know this isn’t the same solid group that allowed for Bryce Young’s turnaround as a leader the last season-and-half. Most of the faces are new, especially the tackles, where LT Walker (FA) and rookie RT Monroe Fielding (GA) are in spots previously held by Ikem Ekwonu (OFS, patella) and long-time Ironman RT Taylor Moton (blood clots) were core elements to offensive cohesiveness/pocket safety for Young. Center Luke Fortner was shoved around all day by Cleveland’s Graham/Verse, Freeling was put into concussion protocol Mon. after being on field for all 77 offensive snaps (expected to be cleared for practice), and rookie C Sam Hecht will probably get first NFL start against Lions.
No kidding, LOTS of names on Injury list. 17 games is a LONG season to keep people healthy (operational?) having both Horn (torn quad) and S Mark Jackson out indefinitely will create a stiff task against Goff’s Lions WRs Sunday night.
Panthers defense should not be defined by first game blowout, but Jaymere Gibbs might have something to say about Sunday night. Ejiro Evero’s defense was stout in Cleveland, although Browns got 132 total from backfield. In previous article, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/games-panthers-regularly-mess-up-glenn-shorkey–ckdoe/ it has often been the case of Charlotte fans expectations being let down, and I’ve often used Detroit (esp. Millen years, poor Stafford) as an example of mismanaged franchise, but that’s not true of either organization now.
Panthers GM Dan Morgan continues to get props for his selection of talent, the Lions are a team Panthers will have to beat to consider moving up to ‘competitive threats any time’ status.
Without impugning anyone’s actions, Panthers getting some key people back counts, and average (so far) regular 270 yds. and couple TDs from QB Young in OC Brad Idziks productive first season, the offensive line will still be the focus of action. Young was 26/48 passing, and yes, once examined in post-game, ‘someone’ was always right in his face on every snap. Chuba Hubbard has three receiving TDs already. Coker playing makes big difference with ‘best practices.’ Better thought: Lloyd Austin is good to go. -GShorkknows 9/30
The chain of thought about losing in Cleveland was always that Lions win in Charlotte prime time game, and that becomes ‘a morbid 1-3 slide,’ and what are odds of such a team rising? Could any balm be taken from a loss maybe, like two seasons ago vs. Chiefs and Eagles? NO. Ws are still the currency of Now, 2026. I still point for break even after Game #10 vs. Saints, dog fight to end with 9-8.
Go ahead and take the points, even if you want to believe Panthers won’t need it for Queen City Upset. (No, really, take any points you can.)
While you’re at it, take the Over- Lions are averaging 31 ppg. (fyi- Panthers 29.7) and wow! is the board agreeing on that- fifty! sounds like fireworks coming. Panthers did put up 37 in first game, so still agreeable thumbs up for Idzik’s offense. If Hutchinson and Lions front puts heat on Young again this week, guess we’ll find out if TE targets can develop into a best practices part of events. Chuba Hubbard is ready to keep contributing, also about best practices.
