The Carolina Panthers dropped in ESPN's NFL power rankings after losing to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3.
The Carolina Panthers dropped in ESPN's NFL power rankings after losing to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 by a final score of 21-18.
Carolina went from No. 21 to No. 22.
After playing like a superstar in Weeks 1 and 2, QB Bryce Young came back down to earth in Week 3. Against the Browns, Young went 26/48 through the air for 291 passing yards. He threw one touchdown and one interception.
Young took a step back in Week 3 against the Browns. After throwing for 361 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, Young followed up with 287 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in Week 2 against the Falcons in Atlanta.
Entering Week 3, Young led the NFL in passing touchdowns and ranked second in passing yards. He was completing 63% of his passes and his EPA per dropback was .24, seventh in the NFL.
The Browns' defense did a good job against him.
Young is set to make $12.1 million this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. His fifth-year option is worth a guaranteed $25.9 million. It was picked up by Carolina in the offseason.
The Panthers didn't sign Young to an extension, so the QB has to play well again this season to get paid next offseason.
Young never came out of Sunday’s loss to the Browns, but he was moving gingerly after a sack in the first half and he’ll be going for some tests to kick off this week.
Head coach Dave Canales didn’t specify which body part Young injured when he got kicked during the game and said that he thinks the quarterback will be fine for their Week 4 game.
Young led the Panthers to the playoffs last season, where Carolina lost to the Los Angeles Rams at home in the wild-card round. It's been remarkable to watch Young's turnaround in Carolina. Remember, Young was benched for Andy Dalton in 2024. When that happened, many people thought Young's days in Carolina were over.
However, the Alabama product kept his head down and worked hard and he played really well in Weeks 1 and 2.
The hope is that Week 3 was a one-off.
The Panthers face the Detroit Lions in Week 4. Young enters that game with 939 passing yards and seven passing touchdowns on the season. He has two interceptions and is completing 59.5% of his passes.
