It was far from a classic.
The Carolina Panthers 13-6 win over the New York Jets will not exactly go down in history.
While the Jets move to 0-7 and remain the only team without a win so far in the 2025 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers have moved to over .500 for the first time since 2021.
That is three wins on the bounce now – also for the first time since 2021 – as Carolina move to a 4-3 record.
The offensive display is hardly worth talking about. Bryce Young had 138 passing yards before leaving the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. Andy Dalton finished the game.
Justin Fields was booed off by the home fans and replaced by Tyrod Taylor in the second half.
If a Bryce Young versus Justin Fields game did not get neutral fans excited about this game, I highly doubt a fourth quarter shootout between Andy Dalton and Tyrod Taylor would either.
A game of defense
Where this game was played well, was on defense. There was some elite displays and positional battles worth noting.
Two of the league’s best bullies on each respective defensive line were causing havoc on the quarterbacks; Derrick Brown on the Panthers’ side and Quinnen Williams for the Jets.
Brown had one of the best games of his career. He tied his single-game career best in sacks with two and had a career high three passes defended by getting his big paws up at the line of scrimmage. He had seven tackles in total with three hits on the quarterback.
Brown also had help from his teammates. Going into the game, the Panthers had five sacks in total through the first six weeks. That record was beaten in this game as they got to the quarterback six times.
On top of Brown’s two, rookie Nic Scourton recorded his first 1.5 sacks, Tre’von Moehrig got his first as a Panther, A’Shawn Robinson got his second of the season and rookie edge rusher Princely Umanmielen shared a sack with Brown.
Another fine showing of elite players in their position was at cornerback as Jaycee Horn and Sauce Gardner showcased their abilities.
Panthers stud rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan was only targeted five times catching three passes for 33 yards as Gardner kept him as tight as possible.
Horn on the other hand, did not impact the game much in the early stages as the ball was never thrown his way. A mark of a good cornerback being shown respect.
A special shoutout goes to Mike Jackson who was targeted a bunch to keep the ball away from Horn. Jackson had a great game by defending three passes including one in the end zone by getting his hand in the way at the last second.
Passing disaster
As Tyrod Taylor game into the game, the Jets’ passing game took a huge step up and threatened a come back on the Panthers’ narrow lead.
Just before the third quarter closed out, Taylor attempted a 38-yard deep shot into the endzone to Josh Reynold who appeared to get the better of Horn on his post route.
Horn was able to get back just as the ball dropped towards Reynolds’ hands, but Horn reached out a long arm and hauled in an impressive one-handed catch to intercept. Even more impressive than his one-handed interception of Trevor Lawrence in Week 1.
With 4:34 left in the game and Carolina holding onto a seven-point lead, Taylor continuing to threaten. Another deep pass intended for Reynolds was met by another spectacular catch by the Panthers’ star corner. Possession regained for Carolina to see the game out.
Another special mention deserves to be given to Xavier Legette. The second year first-round pick has come in for some deserved criticism. Two weeks out with injury has seen him come back better.
His first two games of the season were appalling. Then missed the following two. He scored his first touchdown of the season on his return game in Week 5 against Miami while McMillian continued to be the primary target.
At MetLife Stadium, Legette had the game of his career so far. He was targeted 11 times with nine receptions for 92 yards and the only touchdown of the game. He may have benefited from Sauce Gardner being distracted by McMillan and Jets’ starting nickel corner Michael Carter II being inactive.
The key play in the game was a deep right reception of 33 yards from Andy Dalton the Panthers needed a first down with 1:36 left to end the game.
Heading in the right direction
The Panthers are now on a three-game winning streak. They have not won four games in a row since early 2019 during the infamous run of Kyle Allen.
The next game, on paper, is the toughest of the season as we host the Buffalo Bills.
Josh Allen’s team started 4-0 but are on a two-game losing streak. They will be coming to Charlotte fresh following a bye week and looking to get right after consecutive defeats to New England and Atlanta.
Carolina may be without starting quarterback Bryce Young as the ankle injury that forced him out against the Jets has been confirmed to be a high ankle sprain.
Dave Canales has not officially ruled him out of the Buffalo game; there is still hope although unlikely.
An injury like this could easy have a two-to-four-week timeframe, six if it is bad.
Carolina remains hopeful that Buffalo will be the only game Young will miss, if he does in fact miss it. The Red Rifle Andy Dalton is due to step up. Hopefully he performs better than he did in the final quarter in New Jersey.
