Bryce Young
Bryce Young, Panthers Weapons Face Stingy Eagles Defense Week 14
2 weeks ago

Panthers draw Eagles D that is effective against run and pass

 

A resurgent Carolina Panthers offense led by second-year QB Bryce Young takes on a stingy Eagles defense in Week 14. The Eagles’ defensive unit is top-five in fantasy points allowed to opposing fantasy QBs, RBs and WRs. The Eagles are a less-than-ideal matchup for Young and the Carolina offensive weapons, even despite the fact that Young has come on as of late. The Alabama product threw 46 passes, completing 26 for 298 yards (both season highs) against the Bucs in Week 13, but that was an overtime game against the Bucs, who have a bottom-third D against the pass.

 

The Eagles have allowed a 300-yard passing game only once this season (Baker Mayfield in Week 4). They have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher on the season and have only allowed two 100-yard receiving games (Jayden Reed and Puka Nacua). The Panthers weapons are not exactly elite and Young has only one 300-yard passing game in his young career (last season).

 

Expectations should be tempered, but with six teams on bye in Week 14 and the fantasy playoffs looming, fantasy gamers may be in a position to start some Panthers. David Moore and Xavier Legette led the team in routes and targets over the last two weeks (post-bye), but Adam Thielen is the receptions (12) and yards (156) leader over that span. The 34-year-old vet is the most startable pass catcher and could see volume if the Panthers are playing from behind. That is likely since the Eagles are favored by nearly two touchdowns. Legette and Moore will have opportunities, but only hit their upside when scoring a touchdown.

 

Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard is now sharing the backfield with rookie Jonathon Brooks. Brooks had half as many (six) carries as Hubbard (12) in Week 13, but three targets to Hubbard’s zero, although Hubbard ran 29 routes to Brooks’ seven. Fantasy gamers will want to look elsewhere for RB production if possible.

 

– Joel Ybarra, @metaffb