Rapid reaction: Andy Dalton's offense glitters despite loss to Seattle Seahawks in Week 3
There is no hiding what happened in the Week 3 meeting between the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks. Yes, the Panthers lost 37-27. But, along the way, Week 3 had far more good than bad for the first time all season. And a good portion of that has to do with Dalton starting in the place […]
There is no hiding what happened in the Week 3 meeting between the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks.
Yes, the Panthers lost 37-27. But, along the way, Week 3 had far more good than bad for the first time all season. And a good portion of that has to do with Dalton starting in the place of an injured Bryce Young.
In a game far more exciting than the previous two, three things stood out more than most, and only one deals directly with Dalton.
The Carolina Panthers offense actually took chances
For the first two weeks of the NFL regular season, it felt like it would never happen. And then Dalton started against the Seahawks, and finally, Frank Reich and the Panthers coaching staff started dialing up plays that allowed the quarterback to stretch the field vertically.
The first touchdown score of the game came on a drive where Dalton was 5-for-7 with 70 yards, and he connected with wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. on a 47-yard touchdown play.
Dalton finished the game with 361 yards and two touchdowns on 58 throws.
In the first two games of the season, the Panthers had one pass longer than 20 yards. Against Seattle, they had at least five by the start of the fourth quarter. Yeah, it could be chalked up to players feeling comfortable in Reich's system. However, it can't be ignored from the first offensive play of the game that the team had the confidence, flair, and bravado it lacked when Young was starting.
That isn't to say there should be a quarterback battle once Young is healthy. To do so, would be foolish by the Panthers. It is to say, however, that Young still has a long way to go before he has the same command that Dalton possessed when he was "playing free," as he put it heading into Sunday.
Also, one more interesting Dalton stat. Against Seattle, he became the third player in NFL history to throw a touchdown pass for five different teams in a five-season span. He joins a list that includes Jeff Garcia and Mike Glennon, who did it for six teams in a six-season span, according to ESPN stats.
Adam Thielen proves his worth
The first two weeks of production from Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen left several people scratching their heads.
He was supposed to be the security blanket a rookie quarterback like Young needed, but the Panthers struggled to get him involved consistently. With Dalton calling the shots, Thielen found opportunities to make big-time plays. It was the type of production that the Panthers will need to have an offense that looks competitive week-in and week-out moving forward.
The veteran wide receiver finished the game with 11 catches for 145 yards and one touchdown. He also created a handful of big plays, like a third-and-5 catch that he turned into a red zone opportunity, leading to a score spanning the late third quarter into the start of the fourth.
Injuries catch up to the Panthers defense
Alright, keep up. The Panthers lost safety Xavier Woods, cornerback CJ Henderson, and linebacker Frankie Luvu to various injuries in one game.
The famed Panthers' defense played well without three starters but eventually wore down as the game went on. Seattle was able to sustain lengthy drives that exposed the holes in the Panthers' already thin secondary. And without Luvu, who was promoted to captain after the loss of Shaq Thompson to injury, the Panthers defense was lacking a leader in critical situations.
For example:
It has to be noted that the Panthers' defense, when healthy (which has been few and far between each week) looked extremely athletic and versatile early.
Up next for the Panthers
Next week, the Panthers (0-3) will play the 0-3 Minnesota Vikings at home. Young's health is still a question mark, but the team is optimistic that his ankle will be good to go as the week progresses.
Still, judging by how Dalton played, would it necessarily be a bad thing if he got one more start before bringing back the rookie?
The honest answer is no.
Panthers S Xavier Woods leaves game against Seahawks with hamstring injury
The thin and rather flimsy Carolina Panthers secondary lost safety Xavier Woods to a hamstring injury in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks.
Panthers CJ Henderson injured early against Seattle Seahawks; Xavier Woods leaves game
The Carolina Panthers’ already thin cornerback position may have taken another blow early against the Seattle Seahawks.
Panthers QB Andy Dalton connects with DJ Chark Jr. for highlight-reel touchdown play
The Carolina Panthers offense under Andy Dalton already looks like it has a little more flair.
Frank Reich confident in Andy Dalton if he starts Week 3 against Seahawks
Bryce Young is nursing an ankle injury, meaning eyes are turning to Carolina Panthers backup quarterback Andy Dalton.
Feature image via Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports.
