Panthers' Bryce Young leads the NFL in a clutch stat you wouldn't expect

Billy Heyen

•
Panthers' Bryce Young leads the NFL in a clutch stat you wouldn't expect image

Maybe Bryce Young really is that dude.

The Carolina Panthers chose him No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft to be their franchise quarterback, and the returns have been quite bumpy.

But when push comes to shove, Young often finds ways to win football games.

That includes Sunday, when a couple of clutch touchdown passes from Young pushed the Panthers past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and into first place in the NFC South Division with two games to play.

Maybe this is the franchise QB after all.

"Bryce Young has 12 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime -- the most since entering the league in 2023 -- but this was the biggest one," ESPN's David Newton wrote on Monday. "On the day, he made plays with his legs and arm despite having his injured right ankle stepped on early. Best example: On his second touchdown pass, he avoided a sack, moved around the left side and found Ja'Tavion Sanders in the end zone. On his first touchdown, he beat the blitz. He also engineered the game-winning field goal drive."

MORE: The Giants, the Raiders, the NFL Draft order and the Disgrace of Gijon

There are a variety of circumstances that impact whether a QB has the chance to lead game-winning drives. If he's on a team that usually has a lead, for example, those won't be available.

But Young has shown that when winning time arrives, he can get the job done.

He's not the tallest guy. He may not have the craziest arm. But Young can win football games in the NFL.

Not every quarterback is Patrick Mahomes. Each team needs to find the guy that works for them, within whatever physical constraints he may have.

Young isn't perfect, but he's the guy the Panthers have. And right now, he's got them on the verge of the postseason.

More NFL news:

News Correspondent