Older millennials may remember the PC strategy game Command & Conquer Red Alert, which was supremely popular when it came out 30 years ago, and still has a cult following. They may also remember that you can only get so far with air strikes and helicopters.
Often to beat your opponents, you need tanks on the ground. A similar dynamic may be at play this week for the Carolina Panthers
offense as they visit the Cleveland Browns.So far, starting quarterback Bryce Young has been sensational—but he's also seen a lot of zone looks from Chicago and Atlanta. Meanwhile, the Browns defense plays as much man coverage as any NFL team, so adjustments need to be made.
Most of all, offensive coordinator Brad Idzik has to consider a more run-heavy attack than
he's shown to this point. Going into Week 3, the Panthers have the fifth-highest pass-to-run ratio despite starting running back Chuba Hubbard playing efficiently and effectively. Hubbard has just 102 rushing yards through two games, but he has a career-best 59.1-percent success rate and he's yet to drop a single target as a receiver.
Feeding Hubbard and keeping Cleveland's defense honest is the best way to keep Young clean in the pocket. They should also be more confident in No. 30 given that he looks far more like the 2024 version of himself, where he rushed for career-highs, than the 2025 one.
Every game is unique, and can unfold in unexpected ways. That said, going in, we're hoping to see a ground-and-pound game augmented by the deep play-action shots Young is so good at.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers Week 3 X-factor: Get RB Chuba Hubbard going
