2024 Week 8: Panthers 14, Broncos 28
The final score says this was a 14-point game, but it was really a 21-point game. Denver gave up late because they knew were going to win, and the Panthers took advantage of a few mistakes, helping them score their second TD.
The Broncos (5-3) are probably the most hated winning team in the league, probably the most since the Steelers in that year they won like 11 games straight with a really bad team. No one sees them as legit except for a few film advocates like myself, which is an advantage for us. If Denver can hang with both Baltimore and KC the next two weeks, and maybe even sneak away with a win (which they can) then everyone will be singing their praises. I’ve been doing it since Week 1 so it’s about time everyone catches up to me.
The Panthers (1-7) aren’t THAT bad, they’ve just been slaughtered with injuries and now they’re going back to Bryce Young, they’ve messed with his head so much this year that I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s done being the starter next year. A lot of criticism on QB development this week, but Young has been given every opportunity to succeed – Starting for Bama, winning a national championship, and starting 20+ games in the NFL, and not once have we seen a flash. This is a different situation than Anthony Richardson.
I think the Panthers are in a good spot right now to draft a QB, they have a lot of young/cheap/developing talent on offense, a solid O-line, and are officially in ‘tank mode’ after moving Diontae Johnson. They have what seems like a good group of coaches, but I’m sure 2 or 3 of these guys will move on and be the scapegoat for a 2 or 3 win season.
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QB Report:
- Bo Nix (28/37 for 284 yards, 3TDs; 5 rushes, 4 yards, 1 TD) looks great this year, he has his rookie moments, missing receivers or sketchy placement, but for the most part, he’s playing better than half the QBs in the league. He’s really leaned into his rushing ability the last few weeks which has been great for him in fantasy football, but also just a good skill to leverage. He knows when to take off, when to throw it away, and when to take a sack. Those are some serious experienced veteran qualities.
RB Report:
- Panthers rookie RB Jonathon Brooks has practiced in full this week so he should be coming in and splitting with Chuba Hubbard (15-56-0; 2-15-0). Almost every rookie RB this year has come in and played as good if not better than the starter and I expect no different from Brooks. I know he will have a full takeover eventually, he’s a great back, but will it happen this week? Who knows.
WR Report:
- This game featured two of my favorite rookie WRs Devaughn Vele () and now everyone else’s favorite WR Jalen Coker (4-78-1/6).
- Jalen Coker led the Panthers in receiving and his day could have been much better… he had had a 20+ yard reception called back due to a penalty, and just missed out on a TD catch early in the game. Coker was a UDFA who is so great that he found his way onto the roster, and now he’s getting playing time. UDFA’s seldom play meaningful snaps in their rookie year, how did the NFL miss this one? I had Coker as my #3 route runner in this class behind Ladd McConkey and Roman Wilson.
- Devaughn Vele was excellent in this game despite the low targeting. I don’t know why he isn’t a larger part of this offense - he’s a big slot with great hands, which he showed off in this game. Vele isn’t redraft ready but he is most definitely a dynasty asset.
- Most people think that Xavier Legette (4-34-1/7) is going to be the Panthers #1 WR for the future, even the team thinks that, but he also drew Pat Surtain for the majority of this game. Legette is good and developing too, but Coker scored his TD on Surtain….
image source: (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)