Dave Canales is playing coy with the media this week about Bryce Young’s availability. Young reportedly suffered a high ankle sprain in the third quarter against the New York Jets last Sunday that caused
him to exit the game early. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton stepped in and closed out the game, but was as stymied by the Jets defense as Young had been in a low-scoring game.
Enter the Buffalo Bills. They have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL and an all around worse (not bad, just lesser) defense than the Jets. The Panthers offensive game plan should be to pound the rock with Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard like there is no tomorrow. That ultimately builds into a quarterback-friendly game plan.
For Young to play this Sunday, he would have to cram a minimum two week recovery into seven days or have a lesser injury than what has been widely reported. Dalton, while healthy, is a spry 37-years old. He turns a bone-creaking, death-defying 38 just next week.
That said, Dalton also has a history of pushing the ball further downfield than Young. His career average air yards per attempt is over a full yard higher than Youngs, he has averaged more than 50 yards passing per game more than Young, and, as many of our readers will gleefully point out, is four whole inches taller than Young.
The question of the week, then, is simply this: Do you think the Panthers offense will improve with Dalton under center?
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