It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win all the same: Bryce Young, the much-maligned and benched former No. 1 pick, managed to guide the Carolina Panthers to a 23-22 win over divisional rival New Orleans. Young now has three wins as a starter in the NFL.
The key drive came with 3:26 left in the game, as Young led Carolina on a four-play, 64-yard touchdown march over just 1:08 to take the one-point lead they would not relinquish.
Young wasn’t exactly stellar, going 16-of-26 for 171 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Chuba Hubbard led the Panthers with two touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, Derek Carr returned to quarterback the Saints, going 18-of-31 for 236 yards, with a touchdown.
Carolina, which was in the pole position for the No. 1 draft pick coming into Sunday, is now one of several teams with two wins. New Orleans has now lost seven straight games after beginning the season 2-0.