Just as criticism of Bryce Young was mounting towards all-time highs, he turned in his best statistical performance of the season at Atlanta.

Young passed for a career-best 448 yards with three touchdowns and saved his best for the end in the Panthers' 30-27 overtime win on Sunday.

Trailing by five points in the fourth quarter, Young led a 65-yard, touchdown drive — capped by a touch pass to Tetairoa McMillan for a 12-yard touchdown — and then hit Tommy Tremble for a 54-yard chunk play in overtime to set up Ryan Fitzgerald's game-winning field goal.

The tone was set from the opening drive of the game on Sunday. Young completed eight of his first seven passes, including a touchdown to McMillan and a fourth-down conversion to Xavier Legette.

McMillan had his most prolific outing of his rookie season. He hauled in seven receptions for 119 yards and the two touchdowns.

Legette had one of his better days, too. In addition to converting on fourth down, he got behind the defense early in the third quarter to grab Young's second touchdown pass. It was a 34-yard scoring play.

Despite his smaller frame, Young also showcased his toughness by absorbing relentless hits from Atlanta on Sunday.

Falcons rookie safety Billy Bowman blitzed on third down and sacked Young towards the end of the first quarter. Young was injured on the play, but was able to walk to the locker room under his own power and even returned to the game before the Panthers' next series. 

Young has missed just two games in his three-year NFL career due to injury.

Meanwhile, Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. also left the game in the third quarter — due to an ankle injury — but did not return. Kirk Cousins came in and completed 3 of 6 passes for 20 yards.

Young's encouraging outburst occurred a week removed from perhaps the lowest point of his career. During Carolina's home loss to one-win New Orleans, he passed for just 124 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.

Next week, the Panthers will face the 49ers on Monday Night Football. It is the only primetime game on Carolina's schedule.