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 in opposition to 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 beneath completely different circumstances, and gave Carolina some issues they’ve been lacking this season: Manufacturing from the quarterback place, and a victory.
The veteran passer related on 26-of-37 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns, and the Panthers gained their first sport since Week 15 of the 2023 marketing campaign, defeating the Las Vegas Raiders on the highway by a last rating of 36-22.
His manufacturing additionally stands out as a result of it comes in the beginning of the season that has seen passing video games wrestle. To that time, think about this:
f you had that guess positioned earlier than the season started, congratulations.
Dalton and the Panthers opened the scoring on a six-yard landing cross to Chuba Hubbard, capping off a 9-play, 70-yard drive to start the sport. Dealing with 2nd and aim on the six-yard line, Dalton retreated within the pocket earlier than discovering Hubbard on a swing display to the appropriate. From there the operating again picked up a block from Jonathan Mingo and barreled into the top zone, by way of a pair of Raiders defenders:
Dalton’s two different landing passes, nevertheless, got here with a a lot increased stage of problem.
After the Raiders knotted the rating at 7-7, the Panthers drove again down the sector, finally dealing with a Third-and-Purpose scenario on the Raiders’ five-yard line. Dalton confronted some strain off the left edge from Las Vegas cross rusher Tyree Wilson, however slid to his proper to keep away from that strain 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 aspect of the sector over operating again Miles Sanders however acquired depth on the play and posed one other risk to Dalton.
However one the quarterback was capable of navigate completely along with his arm.
Nevertheless, should you thought that throw was good, Dalton’s third landing strike — a 35-laser to Adam Thielen — may be one of the best throw of the week:
Carolina aligns in an empty backfield, with a three-receiver bunch to the appropriate consisting of Mingo on the within, David Moore on the surface, and Thielen within the center. Mingo and Thielen run a pair of vertical routes, with Mingo breaking towards the center of the sector on a put up route whereas Thielen stays vertical on a seam route.
With the Raiders in Cowl-4 — one of many two-deep security coverages which have precipitated some consternation across the sport in current days — the routes from Mingo and Thielen work to bracket the protection to that aspect of the sector, Marcus Epps. Jones, the cornerback to that aspect, helps on Thielen after peeling off a brief route from Moore, and Epps breaks on the throw as properly, however Dalton places this cross 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 sector. 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 sector:
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 present a “probability” that the workforce may return to Younger sooner or later, relying on how the upcoming weeks play out.
Nevertheless, two components may pressure Carolina’s hand on this scenario. 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 sport in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks with a chest harm, the Dolphins may make for a great touchdown spot for Younger.
As well as, Mike McDaniel could possibly be one of many coaches who may get probably the most out of Younger, regardless of the shaky begin to his profession.
The opposite issue that might pressure Carolina’s hand on this scenario?
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 possibly there may be simply one thing particular about Dalton and Week 3.
