CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After making a decisive run for a 24-yard gain, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young showcased some rare confidence by signaling for a first down, a promising sight for the young player in his second year. Although his statistics weren’t overwhelming—completing 15 of 25 passes for 126 yards and one touchdown—Young effectively guided the Panthers to a thrilling 20-17 overtime win against the New York Giants in Germany, demonstrating a mostly mistake-free performance.
This victory marked the Panthers’ first back-to-back wins since late in the previous season, contributing to Young’s ongoing development, despite his disappointing 4-17 record as a starting quarterback in the NFL. While he has yet to reach the level of elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, the first overall pick in the 2023 draft is beginning to display growth and leadership, bolstering his confidence as the Panthers (3-7) aim to turn their season around.
Coach Dave Canales was supportive of Young’s development, stating his pride in the quarterback’s progression during the game. “I’m so proud of Bryce. I thought he had a great day,” Canales remarked, noting that a few missed opportunities could have elevated Young’s performance even further. He praised Young’s capability to face different defensive coverages and handle in-game pressure competently.
Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard had a standout performance just days after signing a four-year, $33 million contract extension. Hubbard rushed for a career-high 153 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, along with four receptions for 16 yards. Notably, he played through an injury sustained when he briefly dislocated his knee during the game. Hubbard’s season has been remarkable, producing 818 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry, solidifying his role as the team’s standout player.
“We found some wins in there, and we were able to run the ball like we wanted to,” Canales commented on Hubbard’s performance. However, the Panthers’ run defense remains a significant concern, allowing the Giants to accumulate 167 rushing yards and two touchdowns. On a positive note, defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson made a crucial play during overtime by stripping the ball from Tyrone Tracy, paving the way for the game-winning field goal by Eddy Pineiro.
Inside linebacker Josey Jewell, a recent free-agent acquisition, turned in an impressive performance in Germany, contributing six tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery that set up the game-winning kick. Given his struggles with injuries this season, Jewell’s explosive performance was a bright spot for the defense, which has faced challenges throughout the year. The Panthers also welcomed the return of outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum, who made an impact after missing the first nine games due to injury.
Despite their victory, the Panthers struggled with mental mistakes, incurring 10 penalties for a total of 87 yards. Their average of 7.2 penalties per game ranks near the bottom of the league, an issue that Coach Canales acknowledged needs to be addressed. “We’ve got to clean up the penalties,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of tackling these mistakes moving forward.
In injury news, running back Miles Sanders was sidelined with a foot/ankle injury during the game and did not return. However, rookie running back Jonathan Brooks is expected to come back after the bye week, adding depth behind Hubbard. Additionally, linebacker D.J. Johnson sustained a concussion.
As of this week, the Panthers are projected to hold the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Following their bye week, players will have some time off before resuming preparations for their November 24 matchup against the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs.