Sitting at 6-1, the Carolina Panthers were set to meet the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts. Two great defenses clashing in a game that had a playoff feel to it. Although the Panthers were at home, and have played great all season, many picked the Colts to win this game.
But from the start, it was clear that the Panthers were okay with losing as long as it meant Anthony Richardson passed them to that loss. They stuffed the line. And by they, I mean Deforest Buckener. Buckner clearly circled this game against his former team. The leading rusher in the league, Jonathan Taylor, only managed to get 17 yards on 11 attempts! After a few forced tackles for loss, the Colts were forced to pass the ball. To give him credit, Richardson did show he can pass the ball. But every Batman needs his Robin. And to give the Panthers all the credit, they are the real deal. After losing to the Vikings early in the season, many called them pretenders. After tonight, I’m convinced the Panthers are making it out of the NFC. Down 17-10 in the 4th quarter, after a Young fumble that led to a Colts touchdown, Bryce showed why he was drafted #1. Bryce Young led his group down the field and rushed in for a touchdown to tie the game. Now it was Anthony Richardson’s time to put the league on notice. But he failed. On second down, Jonathan Taylor was wide open, but Richardson made a rookie mistake in crossing the line of scrimmage before throwing. From there the game was done. The Colts used their two timeouts early in the 4th, so the Panthers only needed to gain about 25 yards to get into comfortable field goal position. They did that in one play. Bryce Young and the Panthers proved the doubters wrong tonight. When will they finally get their respect?
©Any Given Sunday News