5 Defining Takeaways From Bryce Young’s Gritty Playoff Showing Against the Rams
Bryce Young faced his biggest moment yet.
There was a time not too long ago when Bryce Young never looked capable of fulfilling his pre-draft promise. Just 18 months removed from a career-threatening benching, the resurgent quarterback was leading the Carolina Panthers into their first playoff game since 2017.
One could say the Panthers got in by default, but they deserve to be here. Everyone has a clean slate now, and with an emotionally charged atmosphere at Bank of America Stadium, hopes were high that head coach Dave Canales’ squad could get a second victory of the campaign over the Los Angeles Rams.
For this objective to be achieved, Young had to be absolutely flawless.
The improvements have been evident throughout the season, but so have the inconsistencies. The highs are high, and the lows are low. But this sort of environment in a win-or-go-home situation is precisely why the Panthers traded up to secure his services at No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Young has plenty of experience with massive occasions like this in college at Alabama. This was a different level entirely, but his flawless demeanor and poise were significant assets the Panthers needed to flourish throughout.
As it turned out, a heroic effort from Young and the Panthers wasn’t enough. And they were undone in heartbreaking fashion to exit the playoffs despite a spirited effort.
With this in mind, here are five significant observations from Young’s playoff performance against the Rams at Bank of America Stadium.
Major observations from Bryce Young’s postseason performance versus the Rams
Bryce Young’s under pressure
It didn’t take long to realize that Bryce Young needed to think on his feet in this one. The Los Angeles Rams’ defensive front was at full throttle right from the outset, causing endless problems for the protection in front of the signal-caller.
To make matters worse, starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu was ruled out in the first quarter with a knee injury. Returning Pro Bowl right guard Robert Hunt’s triumphant return ended quickly after reaggravating his bicep issue.
Young needed to showcase his mobility. He took some heavy hits, but he got back up every time. The Heisman Trophy winner was under constant duress, being pushed off his spot quickly and unable to set his feet. How he managed to keep complications to a minimum is anyone’s guess, which is a testament to his fierce resolve, keen pocket awareness, and exceptional athleticism, one of his most underrated traits.
The Rams’ defensive front is young, dynamic, and hungry. They were not going to make things easy for Young by any stretch of the imagination. Even so, the 2023 first-rounder kept driving forward, letting Los Angeles know that he wasn’t going to go down without a fight.
And once he got comfortable, it was a different game.
Bryce Young’s first half
There were some early jitters from quarterback Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers. That was to be expected in such a massive occasion for the franchise, but things began to settle down for the signal-caller as the first half progressed.
It wasn’t perfect; not by a long shot. The Panthers were intent on getting in their own way with several needless errors. Jalen Coker stopped on his route when Young thought he would keep running, leading to an interception. Chuba Hubbard also dropped a short completion with daylight in front of him, although the Mater Dei High School graduate could have made things easier.
Young also had some positive moments. His rhythm, once he raised the tempo, was encouraging. His touchdown run shook Bank of America Stadium to its foundations. And even with two turnovers, the Panthers were somehow only down three at the halftime break.
Here are Young’s stats from the first half, which could have been even better.
- 55 percent completion (11/20)
- 151 passing yards
- 0 touchdowns
- 1 interception
- 2 sacks against
- 15 rushing yards (1 rushing TD)
- 58.5 passer rating (ESPN)
The Panthers were somehow still in the hunt. But it was evident that better execution was needed to turn the tide.
Bryce Young’s aggression
Bryce Young was not going to wait for the moment to come. He was looking to take it, and he aggressively looked to spearhead the Panthers to a massive upset as home underdogs.
Young has to adopt this mindset. We’ve already spoken about the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive front getting the upper hand. The signal-caller had to meet fire with fire, which came through purposeful control at the line of scrimmage and surgically taking what the defense was giving him.
Fans have found out plenty about Young this season. There are ups and downs aplenty — perhaps more than head coach Dave Canales would like in Year 3 of his professional career. At the same time, his purposeful presence continues to be an inspiration to his teammates, who are willing follow his lead these days.
The Rams seemed perplexed on occasion when Young kept pushing despite severe pressure. He’s a rhythm quarterback, and once Canales finally got him into his groove, that’s when the Panthers started to find their feet.
It’s the fighting spirit that saw Young overcome being benched to become the guy in Carolina. There may be some flaws left to figure out, but the aggression is right where it needs to be.
Bryce Young going downfield
One of the biggest criticisms of Bryce Young through his career so far has been an inability to stretch the field consistently. He’s not got the strongest arm, preferring to move the chains more methodically. That doesn’t mean he isn’t capable of going downfield, but the Carolina Panthers have always been eager to limit this and reduce the risk of mistakes.
That changed against the Los Angeles Rams. Being behind meant Young and head coach Dave Canales had to force the issue a little bit more. Thankfully, Carolina also now has two wide receivers capable of getting to the second and third levels quickly enough to do damage.
The improvements were notable. When Young got the chance to air it out, he seized it. Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker met their end of the bargain, for the most part. The timing and velocity of his throws were outstanding, especially considering the swirling wind he had to cope with throughout the contest.
Young’s air yards per attempt were the highest of the campaign. It came at the perfect time, and it enabled the Panthers to get their noses in front in the clutch, which is where the improving quarterback typically thrives.
Bryce Young did everything he could
Bryce Young is developing a reputation for being flawless in high-stakes situations, especially in the clutch. Thanks to a sterling fightback from the Panthers, he got the chance to build even more momentum with the game on the line.
Young’s poise is a special trait. Dave Canales outlined how rare it is to have a quarterback with nerves of steel, one who maintains a demeanor that allows him to move on from one play to the next. And his cold-bloodedness came to the fore on a stunning fourth-quarter drive that took full advantage of a blocked punt from Isaiah Simmons.
The signal-caller began it by delivering a strike to Tetairoa McMillan off play-action. It ended with Young displaying incredible touch on a corner end-zone throw to Jalen Coker that was expertly brought in for a touchdown.
The Rams answered with a touchdown of their own. Young had some time to move the chains for a potentially game-tying field goal, but a critical drop from Jimmy Horn Jr. ended the contest with a heartbreaking defeat.
Young did all he could. He had his matchup on the fourth down, but Horn fluffed his lines. It was a sad end to a heroic effort, and he left Bank of America Stadium with his head held high.
