Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in the best rushing performance of his career during a 36-30 overtime victory against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
The win marked a significant turnaround for Young, who last week struggled with two interceptions and two lost fumbles in a 30-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Panthers’ most lopsided defeat since Young returned to the starting lineup on Oct. 27.
“This is big for us,” Young said after Sunday’s victory. “We talked about this last part of the season being a great opportunity for us to finish, set the tone for the future, and kind of just lay the foundation for where we want to go. It’s a week-to-week league.
We’re just focused on this week; we can only play one week at a time. Just having that point of emphasis and coming out and executing, having a great win today.
In the cold of December, there’s no quit in this team at all.”
With the win, the Panthers improved to 4-11, while the Cardinals fell to 7-8, officially eliminating them from playoff contention with two weeks left in the regular season.
Arizona kicker Chad Ryland forced overtime with a 58 yard field goal as time expired in regulation.
The Panthers went three-and-out on their first overtime possession, and the Cardinals’ possession ended with two punts.
A penalty nullified the first punt, giving Carolina the ball on Arizona’s 49 yard line after the second.
Young handed the ball twice to running back Chuba Hubbard, who sealed the game with runs of 28 and 21 yards.
Hubbard carried the ball 25 times for 152 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers racked up 243 rushing yards against Arizona.
Young contributed 68 yards on five carries, surpassing his previous career highs of 41 rushing yards and a 26 yard run.
In the second quarter, he broke loose for a 34-yard run to the Arizona 26-yard line and later scored on a 23-yard scramble, giving Carolina a 13-3 lead with 11:35 left in the first half.
“Just trying to take what the defense gives,” Young said. “Always trying to remain a passer as long as possible, but we talk all the time about extending plays and doing whatever it takes.
For me, it’s about becoming more comfortable in the system, playing with my teammates, and doing whatever I can to stay efficient, move the chains, and help the team.”
Carolina started strong, scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions. The Panthers converted two fourth downs during a 15-play, 70 yard drive that ended with Hubbard’s 4-yard touchdown run.
Young then hit wide receiver Adam Thielen for an 8 yard touchdown after a fumble recovery at the Arizona 30 yard line, putting the Cardinals in a 17 point hole with 7:55 left in the first half.
Young’s second touchdown pass was an 18-yard throw to wide receiver David Moore, giving Carolina a 30-20 lead with 12:04 remaining.
However, Arizona mounted a late rally to force overtime, despite missing both of its starting offensive tackles and losing running back James Conner, who rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game.
Young has played sparingly in overtime this season. In a 20-17 win over the New York Giants on Nov. 10.
Carolina recovered a fumble to set up a game-winning field goal. In a 26-23 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 1, the Panthers fumbled on their fourth snap of overtime.
Against Arizona, Young completed 17 of 26 passes for 158 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in his eighth consecutive start.
The first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young started 16 games as a rookie and the first two games of the 2024 season before being benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton.
Dalton, who started five games, sustained a thumb injury in an auto accident, allowing Young to reclaim the starting job and lead the Panthers to three of their four wins this season.
“He just played fast again,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “He was really decisive.
You saw some of the scrambles earlier in the first half where he picked up critical third downs and ran one in for a touchdown.
It’s about being decisive, understanding his concepts, and recognizing opportunities to scramble.
He also made some really nice throws when we needed him to.”
The Panthers face the Buccaneers on Sunday at noon CST at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.