CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers had a chance to rewrite the nation’s perception of them on Sunday — and they took advantage.
Carolina played their Week 4 matchup against the Detroit Lions in front of a national audience on Sunday Night Football, marking the Panthers’ first appearance in the coveted time slot since 2016.
The Panthers outdueled the Lions, 32-26, behind 329 yards and two touchdown passes from Young.
Through four games, Young leads the NFL with 1,268 passing yards, and his nine passing touchdowns are tied for third.
Young’s nine touchdowns are the most ever by a Panthers quarterback through four games, and Sunday marked his sixth-straight 250-yard passing game, including the playoffs.
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The fourth-year quarterback has experienced a remarkable career turnaround over the past two seasons, and the entire country got evidence of it Sunday night.
When the Panthers were up a couple scores, “MVP” chants began to rain down — and Young’s numbers back them up.
In addition to leading the league in passing and ranking high in touchdowns, Young is first in the NFL in passes that have resulted in first downs; first in completions of 10+ yards; and first in completions of 25+ yards. His quarterback rating ranks fifth, and he does have one rushing touchdown.
The MVP chants continued in Carolina’s locker room after the game.
“I heard it,” a smiling Young said when asked about the chants. “In the moment you just focus on executing and trying to move the team. Obviously a huge blessing … The Bank tonight was electric … I’m super, super grateful for the fans.”
Perhaps the most impressive part about his performance in Sunday’s win over the Lions was that he did so without two starting wide receivers. Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette both missed the primetime matchup due to injuries, but Tetairoa McMillan played and that was enough.
Young hit McMillan with 14 passes for 192 yards and two scores. McMillan’s catch and yardage totals were both the second-most in a single game in Panthers history.
Running back Chuba Hubbard added 122 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Carolina came into Sunday banged up. Twelve players appeared on the injury report at some point during the week, and that doesn’t include the 12 others on the injured reserve, physically unable to perform, or non-football illness lists.
First-round pick Monroe Freeling and prized free-agent signing Jaelan Phillips were both knocked out by injuries during the game.
Fortunately for the Panthers, they have a bye in Week 5 — hopefully allowing them time to heal up.
The 2-2 Panthers will return to action in Week 6 when it hits the road to face the Eagles in Philadelphia.
Carolina’s Bryce Young (9) is playing at an MVP level through the first 4 games of 2026.(Jacob Kupferman | AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)Click here for more Panthers news
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