How Bryce Young perfected a ‘dying art’ to pull off a massive upset Carolina Panthers win over the LA Rams

THE Carolina Panthers pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season on Sunday.

Facing the juggernaut Los Angeles Rams, Bryce Young delivered a clean performance to move the Panthers to 7-6.

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Bryce Young drops back to pass against the Los Angeles RamsCredit: Getty

Matthew Stafford directs traffic before taking a snapCredit: Getty

The Panthers took home an impressive 31-28 win thanks in part to their offense playing efficient, clean football.

However, the defense also needs credit for turning over Matthew Stafford three times in the game.

With the massive upset win, are the Panthers capable of making the playoffs? Is Stafford still the MVP favorite?

Those questions and more were answered on this week’s episode of The U.S. Sun Sport’s Football Xs and Os.

GIVE IT UP

Stafford is the MVP favorite in the NFL, but he put together one of his worst performances of the season on Sunday.

He passed for 243 yards with two touchdowns, but also gave up three crucial turnovers.

“I’d say he’s probably still up there as the MVP frontrunner, but this is a shocking performance,” NFL expert David Scott said.

Before the Panthers’ matchup, Stafford had only had two interceptions all season.

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In this game alone, he had two interceptions and a game-losing fumble.

“I just felt like the Rams were due to have this type of game,” host Ryan Sanudo said.

Not only did Stafford give up the football, but the loss means the Rams gave up the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

The Chicago Bears now own that title with a 9-3 record.

TRIPLE THREAT

The Rams have plenty of weapons on offense.

Guys like Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Kyren Williams get most of the looks from defenders.

However, a new name went to work on Sunday in the form of Xavier Smith.

“The Rams have a plethora of options, so I feel like they were focused on other guys like Davante Adams,” Sanudo said.

“But Xavier Smith, he’s a special teamer and a wide receiver [and] for him to do [that] is very impressive.”

Smith was able to find a hole in the Panthers’ defense on a go route, confusing the zone coverage around him.

He probably could have taken the pass in for a touchdown, but Stafford was slightly off the mark with his pass.

“He did very well when the opportunity was given to him,” Scott said.

Smith finished the day with three catches for 82 yards, nearly doubling his season total.

FIZZY COKER

“Bryce Young and Jalen Coker utilizing one of my favorite routes in football, the fade route,” Scott said.

“It’s a dying art in football, but they execute it perfectly here.”

Young was dealing the football all over the field against the Rams, and was throwing with accuracy and anticipation.

That was especially evident on this deep touchdown to Jalen Coker.

From the 33-yard line, Young connected with Coker on a beautiful fade over cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr’s head.

Coker developed enough separation to waltz into the end zone for the score.

“Coker should be the wide receiver two on this team,” Sanudo said.

Coker has missed six games due to injury this season, but has played decently when he is on the field.

Sunday was by far his best game of the season, though, as he caught four passes for 74 yards and the touchdown.

ONE CATCH WONDER

Late in the fourth quarter, the Panthers beat the Rams 28-24.

Young was desperate for a score and was able to find his top weapon in Tetairoa McMillan for the game-winning touchdown.

“You could say [this is] not only the most pivotal play of the game, but of the season,” Scott said.

“They’re 6-7 if they lose this game, they’re 7-6 because they win it.”

The route design on this play was flawless, with the Panthers drawing up a natural pick in order to get extra separation.

Once that moment happened, McMillan had no problem running 20 yards after the catch into the end zone.

CATCH OF THE YEAR?

Puka Nacua makes a mind-boggling catch against the Carolina PanthersCredit: AP

Puka Nacua is having another spectacular season, and just cemented himself as the best wide receiver in football with an incredible catch.

He somehow snagged an errant pass that should have been interception with one hand to secure a big gain instead of another turnover.

“He might be Spider-Man because that just stuck in his hand,” Scott said.

After Sunday’s game, Nacua crossed the 1,000-yard threshold for the second time in his three-year career.

He has 1,019 yards and four touchdowns with five games yet to play.

“Puka is a strong dude. He’s 6-foot-2 and can do everything,” Sanudo said.