By Pat Welter

Dave Canales didn’t want to go back to Bryce Young, but an Andy Dalton sprained thumb forced his hand.

The last time we saw the former number one overall pick he threw for 84 yards in an ugly loss to the LA Chargers week 2. Young and the Panthers offense caught a break early when the Broncos fumbled on their first possession.

Young talked about the mental reps he’s been taking during his time on the sidelines and they appeared to pay off. On third and goal Young hit Xavier Legette for his third career touchdown and a 7-0 lead. The rookie did his “dolla bill” horse celebration. Legette and Jalen Coker will be Young’s primary targets with Dionte Johnson and Adam Thielen out with injury.

After forcing a Broncos punt, Denver pinned Young and the Panthers offense back by their own goal line. Young wasn’t able to do anything with the possession.

Broncos QB Bo Nix was a controversial first round pick by Sean Payton and Denver, but he’s improved as the season has gone on. Nix hit fullback Nate Adkins for a 3 yard touchdown capping off a 7 play 55 yard drive to tie the game at 7.

Adkins actually a tight end he just wears a fullback number (45). No confusing Adam Trautman. The big Broncos tight end (No. 85) caught a Nix pass for 19 yards over the middle and a 14-7 lead with 6:51 remaining in the first half.

In a rare show off aggressiveness by the Panthers offense, Canales opted to go for it on 4th and 2 at midfield. After a timeout to think about it, a triple option type play went no where with Miles Sanders getting tackled near the line of scrimmage.

Carolina’s banged up and much maligned starting to wear down to end the half. Nix leapt over the line and stretched out the ball for a one yard score to give Denver a 21-7 lead at the half.

Young’s stats not terrible 11/14 for 60 yards and the TD, but that’s just an average of 4.3 per completion. Nix on the other hand making that No. 12 overall pick looking like draft capital well spent. He had three total touchdowns and 220 yards passing.

Nix continued his career afternoon in the third quarter with a 9 yard touchdown pass to Jaleel Mclaughlin to give Denver a 28-7 lead.

Young and the offense caught in perpetual three and outs since that first quarter score were forced to push the ball down the field and you saw why Canales has been so reluctant to do it. Young threw two second half interceptions. The second came in the redzone.

Young did hit Jalen Coker in garbage time to make his stat line look like an actual functioning quarterback, but don’t be deceived there wasn’t anything positive to take away here. Young finished 24/37 for 224 yards with the 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.  Broncos drop the Panthers to 1-7, 28-14 the final. 

Source: wralsportsfan.com