Andy Dalton’s final NFL begin got here in Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season. Entering into the beginning lineup for the Carolina Panthers rather than an injured Bryce Younger. All Dalton did towards the Seattle Seahawks that afternoon was full 34 passes for 361 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 37-27 loss.
Dalton stepped into the beginning lineup once more for the Panthers on Sunday, albeit underneath totally different circumstances, and gave Carolina some issues they’ve been lacking this season: Manufacturing from the quarterback place, and a victory.
The veteran passer linked on 26-of-37 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns, and the Panthers received their first recreation since Week 15 of the 2023 marketing campaign, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders on the highway by a ultimate rating of 36-22.
His manufacturing additionally stands out as a result of it comes firstly of the season that has seen passing video games wrestle. To that time, contemplate this:
f you had that wager positioned earlier than the season started, congratulations.
Dalton and the Panthers opened the scoring on a six-yard landing go to Chuba Hubbard, capping off a 9-play, 70-yard drive to start the sport. Going through 2nd and aim on the six-yard line, Dalton retreated within the pocket earlier than discovering Hubbard on a swing display screen to the suitable. From there the operating again picked up a block from Jonathan Mingo and barreled into the top zone, by a pair of Raiders defenders:
Dalton’s two different landing passes, nevertheless, got here with a a lot greater degree of problem.
After the Raiders knotted the rating at 7-7, the Panthers drove again down the sphere, finally dealing with a Third-and-Purpose state of affairs on the Raiders’ five-yard line. Dalton confronted some stress off the left edge from Las Vegas go rusher Tyree Wilson, however slid to his proper to keep away from that stress earlier than dropping in a precision throw to Diontae Johnson for the landing:
Not solely did Dalton drop on this throw over cornerback Jack Jones, who was trailing Johnson in man protection, to perfection however he additionally wanted to navigate security Tre’von Moehrig as properly. Moehrig was shaded to that facet of the sphere over operating again Miles Sanders however acquired depth on the play and posed one other menace to Dalton.
However one the quarterback was in a position to navigate completely along with his arm.
Nonetheless, should you thought that throw was good, Dalton’s third landing strike — a 35-laser to Adam Thielen — is perhaps the most effective throw of the week:
Carolina aligns in an empty backfield, with a three-receiver bunch to the suitable consisting of Mingo on the within, David Moore on the skin, and Thielen within the center. Mingo and Thielen run a pair of vertical routes, with Mingo breaking towards the center of the sphere on a submit route whereas Thielen stays vertical on a seam route.
With the Raiders in Cowl-4 — one of many two-deep security coverages which have brought on some consternation across the recreation in current days — the routes from Mingo and Thielen work to bracket the security to that facet of the sphere, Marcus Epps. Jones, the cornerback to that facet, helps on Thielen after peeling off a brief route from Moore, and Epps breaks on the throw as properly, however Dalton places this go into an absolute shoebox.
He couldn’t have walked into the top zone and handed it to Thielen in a greater spot.
Going past the three landing passes, Dalton confirmed a willingness — and a consolation — attacking the center of the sphere. Whereas the veteran accomplished a number of passes over the center, together with this one on a dig path to Johnson to maneuver the chains on third down, two of Younger’s three interceptions this season have come when attacking the center of the sphere:
Dalton’s efficiency seemingly raises the query of how lengthy he’ll, or ought to, stay within the beginning lineup for the Panthers. Forward of the early slate of video games on Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the plan in Carolina is for Younger to stay a backup, with there current a “probability” that the crew may return to Younger sooner or later, relying on how the upcoming weeks play out.
Nonetheless, two components would possibly power Carolina’s hand on this state of affairs. First is the reporting that some groups have inquired about Younger in a commerce. Take, for instance, the Miami Dolphins. With Tua Tagovailoa struggling a concussion in Week 2, and Skylar Thompson leaving Sunday’s recreation towards the Seattle Seahawks with a chest damage, the Dolphins may make for a great touchdown spot for Younger.
As well as, Mike McDaniel might be one of many coaches who may get essentially the most out of Younger, regardless of the shaky begin to his profession.
The opposite issue that might power Carolina’s hand on this state of affairs?
If Dalton retains making performs like these, he’ll give the Panthers an opportunity to win each week.
One thing they haven’t carried out a lot of in recent times.
Or perhaps there may be simply one thing particular about Dalton and Week 3.
