Did Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young just quietly have his coming-out party?
Here are the best and worst Pro Football Focus grades for the Week 15 win over the Atlanta Falcons:
Best of the offense
1. QB Bryce Young: 78.0
2. C Bradley Bozeman: 76.1
3. RG Gabe Jackson: 72.2
4. WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette: 69.0
5. WR DJ Chark: 67.4
Young’s 78.0 was the highest overall mark of his rookie season and, for the first time, the highest overall mark for the Panthers offense. He completed 18 of his 24 throws for 167 yards.
Bozeman earned a season-high 83.4 pass-blocking grade while Jackson notched a team-best 78.7 in run blocking.
Worst of the offense
13. LG Cade Mays: 58.8
14. LT Ikem Ekwonu: 57.0
15. WR Adam Thielen: 51.6
16. RB Miles Sanders: 48.6
17. RG Nash Jensen: 47.7
Sanders took a step back after a season-high 74 rushing yards in New Orleans last week. He recorded two yards on six totes.
Best of the defense
1. CB Troy Hill: 88.8
2. OLB Yetur Gross-Matos: 81.4
3. DT Nick Thurman: 78.6
4. OLB Brian Burns: 76.2
5. DE Chris Wormley: 73.1
Hill continues to be a pleasant surprise for Carolina. He now has grades of at least 75.0 in six games.
Burns led the Panthers with three pressures.
Worst of the defense
16. OLB Marquis Haynes Sr.: 56.0
17. DT Shy Tuttle: 55.0
18. CB Donte Jackson: 44.6
19. CB CJ Henderson: 44.1
20. LB Kamu Grugier-Hill: 41.1
Jackson was charged with four receptions and 47 yards over five targets. That pushed him to a 38.7 mark in coverage.
