Young throws 2 TDs, Coker has 193 yards as Panthers edge Bengals

Charlotte, NC - Bryce Young threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns, Jalen Coker delivered the biggest receiving performance of the game and the Carolina Panthers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 27-24 in Week 15.

Carolina generated 452 offensive yards and maintained a narrow edge through a competitive game in which Cincinnati continued to apply pressure. The Panthers created more production in both phases, finishing with 310 passing yards and 142 rushing yards, but the Bengals remained within range before the final margin settled at three points.

Young completed 22 of 30 passes and posted a 128.4 passer rating. His 310 yards were the game high, and his longest completion covered 91 yards. Carolina did not rely on one dimension, either. The Panthers recorded 21 first downs, converted 10 of 14 third downs and were successful on their only fourth-down attempt.

"There were stretches where we had to be patient and stretches where we could be aggressive," Young said. "The biggest thing was staying efficient. We kept moving forward, and we gave ourselves enough opportunities to finish with the result we wanted."

Coker was at the center of Carolina’s passing production. He caught 10 passes for a game-high 193 yards and a touchdown, including the game-long 91-yard reception. No other receiver approached his yardage total, though Tetairoa McMillan added five catches for 65 yards. Jonathon Brooks also caught two passes for 12 yards and scored Carolina’s other receiving touchdown.

"The ball kept coming my way, and I wanted to do something with every chance," Coker said. "When you get that kind of opportunity, you have to be dependable. Bryce kept giving me chances, and I tried to give the offense yards every time I touched it."

The Panthers also had the game’s leading rusher. Chuba Hubbard carried 19 times, the most attempts by any player, and finished with 88 yards and a touchdown. Brooks supplied another 38 yards on four carries, including a game-long 21-yard run. Carolina’s 142 rushing yards doubled Cincinnati’s total of 70.

Cincinnati found more success once it reached the red zone than its overall yardage suggested. The Bengals scored three touchdowns and one field goal on four red-zone trips. Carolina made four trips inside the 20 but came away with one touchdown and two field goals.

Joe Burrow completed 23 of 35 passes for 230 yards and one touchdown, finishing with a 93.7 passer rating. Tee Higgins was his most productive target, catching eight passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. Ja’Marr Chase added three receptions for 51 yards, but Cincinnati finished with 300 offensive yards and 13 first downs.

"We did a good job finishing most of our chances when we got inside the 20," Burrow said. "Outside of that, we needed more consistency. Against a team that can produce that many yards, there are stretches where you can’t afford to come away without enough offense."

The Bengals’ defense produced four sacks and no interceptions. Jonathan Allen recorded two of those sacks, while Myles Murphy had one. Cincinnati also converted eight of 14 third downs and its lone fourth-down attempt, giving the Bengals respectable efficiency numbers even as Carolina finished with 152 more offensive yards.

The result moved Carolina from 11-2 to 12-2. Cincinnati entered the game on a three-game losing streak, and the close defeat extended that skid to four while dropping the Bengals to 7-7.

Up Next

Carolina will travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16 looking to follow up the victory, while Cincinnati heads to the Indianapolis Colts seeking to end its four-game slide.