CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers are currently on a three-game losing streak following a morale-boosting win against the Las Vegas Raiders led by quarterback Andy Dalton. This win occurred shortly after rookie head coach Dave Canales made the controversial decision to bench last year’s first overall pick, Bryce Young. Despite acknowledging Dalton’s struggles, including a critical interception in a 38-20 defeat against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Canales has confirmed that Dalton will remain the starting quarterback for their upcoming matchup against Washington.
“Andy will be playing against the Commanders,” Canales stated, refusing to share further details. Since his benching, Young has only appeared in limited action, and his record as a starter in the NFL has now tragically fallen to 2-16 after two disappointing initial outings this season.
In the recent game against the Falcons, Dalton had a mixed performance, completing 26 of 38 passes for 221 yards, which included two touchdown passes in the first half but also two interceptions in the second. Carolina’s fortunes have worsened since veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen sustained a hamstring injury, and the Panthers also competed without two starting offensive linemen on Sunday.
Before throwing his first interception early in the fourth quarter, the Panthers appeared to be gaining momentum, fueled by an effective running game from Chuba Hubbard, who had several substantial consecutive runs. However, Canales opted for a pass play in an attempt to catch the Falcons off guard. Dalton’s decision to throw a deep pass to tight end Ian Thomas fell into the hands of Falcons defensive back A.J. Terrell, extinguishing their momentum and quieting the home fans.
Following the interception, the Falcons capitalized, marching down the field for a decisive touchdown drive, punctuated by the combined efforts of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, who rushed for 200 yards and scored three touchdowns together. In retrospect, Dalton acknowledged that he could have made better decisions, perhaps opting to release the ball sooner or choosing a safer play.
It’s important to note that Dalton has faced challenges operating with Thomas, who was returning from injured reserve, leaving little time for them to establish chemistry. “That was a big drive for us, especially with the momentum that we had at that point,” Dalton reflected. “That one hurt and set us back and it’s on me. I’ve got to make better decisions in that moment.”
While Dalton’s performance has not been flawless, he has managed to generate scoring opportunities for the Panthers since stepping in as starter in Week 3. Under Young, the team averaged just 6.5 points per game across two outings, while Dalton has improved their scoring to 22.5 points per game since taking over.
Adding to the pressure is Carolina’s struggling defense, which has surrendered an average of 33.8 points per game this season, ranking among the worst in Super Bowl history. Despite these challenges, Canales continues to foster a positive message, urging his team to steadily improve.
“Consistency is key,” Canales emphasized. “Can we maintain consistent play while addressing the various issues facing us? It’s about making progress week by week, ensuring we come out of games feeling balanced in our play, while also improving our performance on crucial third downs to facilitate better offensive execution.”
Canales remains optimistic and focused on fostering a team culture that prioritizes improvement and success, stressing the importance of finishing games strong for a franchise that has not seen playoff action since 2017.