As of this writing, the Carolina Panthers are up 24-7 over the Las Vegas Raiders. Everyone’s BINGO card had Panthers QB Andy Dalton going for 212 yards and three touchdowns in the first half! He has 30+ yard completions to three different receivers, and the Panthers’ offense is in quite a rhythm.
It begs the question — was the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young, the problem in Carolina after all? Social media is starting to cast its judgment on the situation.
Social Media Indicts Bryce Young Amid Andy Dalton’s Incredible Start in Week 3
Not only is Dalton’s ball placement pristine, it’s transformed the running game as well. Chuba Hubbard is running at five yards per carry, and the time of possession battle definitely fell in the favor of the road team. Diontae Johnson has over 100 yards in a game for the first time in the 2024 season. Stats aside, Carolina just looks better.
It wouldn’t take long before conclusions were drawn about the previously anemic Panthers offense. Young’s thick skin will be put to the test if Dalton continues his performance vs. the Raiders.
We can officially say that Bryce Young was 100% the problem pic.twitter.com/YpKYkoEXFi
— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) September 22, 2024
Andy Dalton taking Bryce Young’s job.pic.twitter.com/MbAfbmEJQy
— Michael Bell (@avl_mike) September 22, 2024
If Bryce Young’s confidence wasn’t at zero after being benched, then watching Andy Dalton torch the Raiders will pic.twitter.com/b6pjbCmVgO
— Stuart Feiner (@StuartFeiner) September 22, 2024
The Raiders’ defense hasn’t been a world-beater by any stretch, but the passing defense has yielded 186 yards per game up to this point — Dalton had 212 at the half. The throw up the seam was an aggressive throw. Dalton is playing well, and the script couldn’t have gone worse for Young. There’s already chatter about the Panthers receiving trade inquiries for Young. Those rumors will only intensify.
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Carolina will take on the Cincinnati Bengals at home in Week 4. It’ll be intriguing the reception Dalton gets from the home crowd if he starts again.