Bryce Young Wouldn't Leave Chuba Hubbard Alone After Panthers' Win

The Carolina Panthers are the only team above .500 in the NFC South, and that puts the reigning division champs in the drivers seat in October while the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers do some soul searching about what kind of team identity they want to have for the remainder of the season.

On Sunday, the Panthers took advantage of a shorthanded Philadelphia Eagles team, earning a 25-14 win. Despite having to turn to backup quarterback Tanner McKee, the Eagles might a fight on Sunday, but Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard and quarterback Bryce Young ran out the last 4:26 on the clock on their final nine-play drive. 

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated noted that after the game, Young "wouldn't leave" Hubbard alone. Hubbard joked that Young was presenting him a little after the win over the Eagles.

For good reason, Young needed to congratulate Hubbard on a big day for the Panthers. Hubbard rushed 28 times for 120 yards and one touchdown on Sunday. Hubbard's rushing efforts were complementary to Young's 281 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Hubbard was impressed by how the Panthers finished against the Eagles. It was a whole team effort, with the defense getting a stop and the offense methodically running out the clock. It was a perfect end-of-game scenario, which shows how much the Panthers have improved since they won the NFC South last season with a below .500 record.

Young's ascendence has been one of the big storylines of the NFL season. He's thrown for 1,549 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions. He's been the best quarterback in the division, which is the reason why Carolina leads the NFC South before Week 7. 

Hubbard noted that Young has gotten better each season, and is making throws not many quarterbacks in the league can make. His calm demeanor has helped the offense gain confidence in critical moments.

The Panthers will next host the 1-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's unclear if Baker Mayfield will be ready to make his return after suffering a thumb injury against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3.

Despite what their record may indicate, the Buccaneers have been a tough out with backup undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels, who led the team to a win over the Dallas Cowboys on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 5. Tampa Bay took the Pittsburgh Steelers to overtime on Sunday before falling.