Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young makes his playoff debut. Historically, quarterbacks making their first postseason start have struggled. Even the elite quarterbacks like Joe Burrow. That also
includes Super Bowl-winning ones, like Jalen Hurts, who trailed 31-0 after three quarters in his first start.
Young has seen his opponent, which may help his cause. When the Panthers beat the Los Angeles Rams earlier this season, Young completed 15 of his 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
The Rams did themselves zero favors in that game, turning it over three times. Matthew Stafford blamed himself after the game. Despite what the scoreboard said, the Rams were the better team that day. Every break went Carolina’s way, including the fourth down variance.
Could that happen again today? Sure. Carolina isn’t going to lie down. Dave Canales will leave the flea flickers in the red zone in Florida. The Rams cornerbacks are extremely getable.
The problem is the other side of the ball. Carolina only forced the Rams into five third downs all game. That’s a sign that they aren’t getting many stops. Stafford threw interceptions on Carolina’s 8-yard line. His second interception was returned for a touchdown. Finally, the Rams’ last turnover was a fumble when Stafford was sacked on 3rd & 10 on Carolina’s 22-yard line.
All of that has to go the Panthers way again to emerge victorious. Good luck.
