The Panthers’ biggest play vs. Chargers was their least sexiest. But it was much needed
There were a number of plays that helped the Panthers pick up their first victory of the season Sunday.
The deflection by Tre Boston against Keenan Allen in the end zone on the final defensive possession. The 13-yard touchdown pass from Teddy Bridgewater to Mike Davis in the second quarter. The strip sack by Brian Burns in the first. Or the forced fumble by Shaq Thompson in the second.
But none were more important than the one before the Panthers’ final defensive possession began.
It wasn’t a sexy play, either.
But Joe Charlton’s 40-yard punt, which landed at the 6-yard line, and bounced toward the end zone before long snapper J.J. Jansen finally downed it at the 1-yard line was huge.
At the time, the Chargers trailed the Panthers 21-16 with 1:46 remaining.
Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert needed to lead L.A. 99 yards in less than two minutes to win the game.
It almost happened. The Chargers reached the Panthers’ 30-yard line with 6 seconds remaining, but ran out of time. They were forced to run one last desperation play to reach end zone, but the game ended with a fumble.
The play Jansen made was initially called a touchback, because when we he tossed it back to his teammates, a couple of them were in the end zone when they touched it. But after a review, officials ruled that Jansen was actually down when he caught the bouncing punt.
“Great effort by J.J.,” Panthers coach Matt Rhule said of the play.
It was a great punt by the rookie Charlton, too, who in camp once punted a ball over the practice field wall into some trees. He hasn’t made a similar mistake since.
Before Charlton’s punt, the Panthers had a third-and-5, from the Chargers’ 40-yard line with two minutes remaining. But Bridgewater was sacked by end Joey Bosa for an 8-yard loss, further pushing the Panthers out of field goal range.
Jansen’s play saved the game because the Chargers had momentum, and in the fourth quarter, were moving the ball with ease.
“That should be a highlight of (Jansen’s) career,” Bridgewater said. “He’s a guy who, really, no one ever talks about around here. But he’s a guy, he’s mentoring a lot of the young guys. He’s a huge voice for this team, and for him to step up and make a play in that moment, that was huge for this team.”
And instead of 0-3, the Panthers are 1-2.
— Jonathan M. Alexander
Required Reading
+ Fowler: Panthers found joy with Matt Rhule on Sunday. Will win over Chargers be first of many?
+ ‘I’m trying not to tear up, man.’ Panthers win fueled by Mike Davis’ memory of his dad
+ Analysis: Panthers changed the narrative at Chargers. A young defense finally got it
+ Grading the Carolina Panthers in their Week 3 win over the Chargers
This story was originally published September 28, 2020 at 5:30 AM.
