The Optimist: Not even half-way done yet
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 08: Nik Bonitto #15 of the Denver Broncos blocks pass by Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium on November 08, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Key points
- Short yardage situations Yesterday’s goal-line fiasco (I’m trying to be polite) would never have happened if head coach Dave Canales and offensive coordinator hadn’t tried to get cute with a pass to Tommy Tremble.
- Left tackle Rasheed Walker and center Luke Fortner have been free agency busts, with both leading the league at various points this season with most pressures allowed at their respective positions.
- Add in the occasional injuries for back-up guards Torricelli Simpkins and Corey Bullock and it is clear that Young and running back Chuba Hubbard haven’t been playing from positions of strength.
13 penalties for 119 yards (a 69-yard differential) against the Panthers and a controversial, replay-assisted turnover in the end zone held one of the most injured teams in the league back from beating one of the most charmed teams in existence.
Additional details
- Yet both show up in the top ten at their positions.
- Most of their success has come either with passes or Hubbard bouncing a run to the outside when his intended gap has been congested by Panthers linemen not winning….
- They established that record yesterday by playing against a roster that, at several important positions, has been assembled over just the past couple of weeks.
- He has also taken the fourth most sacks in the league and often shows up as the most pressured quarterback in the league in weekly advanced metrics.
- He’s unlikely to magically elevate everyone’s level of play, but sometimes all it takes is change at one position to settle the whole line in.
How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →
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