Panthers’ Pivot to Dalton Sparks Offensive Revival
Entering Week 3, the Carolina Panthers were in dire need of an offensive spark, having managed only one touchdown in the early stages of the season. A dramatic change at the quarterback position during their matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium hinted at a much-needed turnaround for the Panthers.
Struggling with consistency, the Panthers benched Bryce Young, their former No. 1 overall pick. Young's troubles, which began in his rookie year, had persisted into his sophomore season, prompting the coaching staff to make a bold move. Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton was handed the reins, and he did not disappoint.
On his first drive without Young, Dalton orchestrated a textbook 70-yard march down the field over nine plays. This drive culminated in a precise 6-yard touchdown pass to running back Chuba Hubbard, immediately injecting life into the Panthers' offense.
Not to be outdone, the Raiders quickly responded with a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Alexander Mattison, but Dalton had more in store. He led a 75-yard drive, capped with a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Diontae Johnson, extending the Panthers' lead.
Dalton’s aerial assault wasn’t finished. Before halftime, he connected with wide receiver Adam Thielen on a 31-yard touchdown pass. With that strike, Carolina’s score surged, and by the end of the first half, the Panthers had posted 21 points—surpassing their combined total from the previous two games.
Dalton’s stats for the first two quarters were impressive: 15 completions on 22 attempts for 212 yards and three touchdowns. Remarkably, he came within 34 yards of surpassing Young’s combined passing yardage from Weeks 1 and 2.
Young's early-season stats underscored his difficulties. He completed 31 of 56 passes for 245 yards without a touchdown while throwing three interceptions. The only trip to the end zone for the Panthers before the game against the Raiders had been a modest 3-yard rush by Young.
Young’s overall record before being benched stood at a disappointing 2-16 across 18 starts, with 3,122 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. In stark contrast, Dalton brought a wealth of experience and a significantly better track record. In his 14th NFL season, Dalton boasted an 83-78-2 record as a starter, having amassed 38,511 yards, 246 touchdowns, and 144 interceptions over his career.
The sudden switch to Dalton paid immediate dividends for the Panthers, showcasing the potential benefits of relying on veteran leadership and experience—a stark contrast to Young’s early career struggles. The Panthers’ offensive revitalization, spearheaded by Dalton’s confident play, offered hope of a more competitive season ahead.