NFL Archives - WPTF-AM

Blowout loss to Bears another reminder of just badly the Panthers botched 2023 trade for Bryce Young

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Sunday’s game served as yet another unneeded reminder for the Carolina Panthers of just how badly they botched the trade for Bryce Young in 2023 — and how far back it has set the franchise. Caleb Williams threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Both of those went to former Carolina wide receiver D.J. Moore as the Bears routed the Panthers 36-10 in Chicago. Moore was part of the deal in which the Panthers also sent four draft picks to the Bears to move up to the No. 1 overall pick to acquire a franchise quarterback. The Panthers took Young over C.J. Stroud, and things have been a disaster ever since. Young is 2-16 as a starter and is now a backup.… Continue Reading

Caleb Williams and DJ Moore lead the way in Bears’ 36-10 rout of Panthers

CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns in his best performance to date, DJ Moore added 105 yards receiving and two scores against his former team and the Chicago Bears beat the Carolina Panthers 36-10. The Bears won their second straight after dropping two in a row, with the two key pieces they acquired as a result of a blockbuster trade with Carolina in 2023 leading the way. Chicago also got a big performance from D’Andre Swift. He had 120 yards from scrimmage and a TD. Williams picked apart a banged-up defense that ranks among the NFL’s worst. The No. 1 overall draft pick completed 20 of 29 passes with no interceptions and a 126.2 rating that was his best.… Continue Reading

WR Diontae Johnson not worrying about trade rumors, would prefer to stay with the Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — With several NFL teams including the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in need of a top-notch wide receiver, Diontae Johnson’s name has emerged as a possible trade candidate. The Panthers wide receiver said Wednesday that he would prefer to remain in Carolina and sign a long-term contract, but acknowledged his future is largely out of his hands. The Panthers acquired Johnson in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has developed into the team’s No. 1 wide receiver since Andy Dalton took over at quarterback in Week 3. Johnson has been targeted 27 times in the past two games and has 15 receptions for 205 yards and two touchdowns. He is in the final year of his contract.… Continue Reading

Joe Burrow throws for 2 TDs, Bengals hold on to beat Panthers 34-24 for first victory of the season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Joe Burrow threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, Chase Brown ran for 80 yards and two scores and the Cincinnati Bengals held on to beat the Carolina Panthers 34-24 on Sunday for their first win. Ja’Marr Chase had three catches for 85 yards, including a 63-yard catch-and-run touchdown as the Bengals avoided a potentially disastrous fourth straight loss to open the season. Of the 155 teams to start 0-4 since the merger, only the 1992 Chargers were able to rebound and make the playoffs. Zack Moss had 78 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown reception for the Bengals. Andy Dalton threw for 220 yards with two touchdowns and one interception against his former team.… Continue Reading

Bengals look to avoid 0-4 start, but Panthers and former Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton stand in the way

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are in dire need of a victory as they look to avoid a disastrous 0-4 start to the season. Former Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and the rejuvenated Carolina Panthers stand in their way. The Bengals need something to go right after a 38-33 loss at home to the Washington Commanders on Monday night. Of the 155 teams that have started 0-4 since the merger, only the 1992 Chargers rebounded to make the playoffs. Dalton knows that desperation makes Cincinnati a dangerous team entering Sunday’s game at Bank of America Stadium.… Continue Reading

Panthers turn to youth to replace veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen on Sunday vs. Bengals

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers will turn to a pair of young wide receivers to help fill the void of veteran Adam Thielen, who’ll miss at least four weeks recovering from a right hamstring injury. Coach Dave Canales has said he hasn’t determined if rookie Xavier Legette or second-year wideout Jonathan Mingo will start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but added that he expects both to see plenty of action along with veteran David Moore. Canales said the loss of the 34-year-old Thielen leaves the Panthers with some big shoes to fill. The injury to Thielen comes just as the Panthers passing game showed signs of life on Sunday with 36-year-old Andy Dalton making his first start of the season at quarterback.… Continue Reading

Panthers WR Adam Thielen will miss at least 4 weeks after being placed on IR with hamstring injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers will be without wide receiver Adam Thielen for at least four weeks. The veteran was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a hamstring injury. Thielen was injured while extending to make a diving touchdown catch near the end of the second quarter of Carolina’s 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. The 34-year-old did not return in the second half. Jonathan Mingo, a second-round pick in 2023, or rookie first-round pick Xavier Legette will likely replace Thielen in the starting lineup on Sunday when the Panthers host the Cincinnati Bengals.… Continue Reading

Retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre says he has Parkinson’s disease

WASHINGTON (AP) — Retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre told a congressional committee Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Favre made the announcement as part of his testimony about a welfare misspending scandal in Mississippi. Favre does not face criminal charges, but he has repaid just over $1 million in speaking fees funded by a welfare program in the state. He was also an investor a biotech company with ties to the case that said it was developing concussion drugs. It is unclear if Favre’s disease is connected to his football career or head injuries.… Continue Reading

Andy Dalton’s success in win over the Raiders increases concern about Bryce Young

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers’ stunning 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders showed that coach Dave Canales was correct when he said Andy Dalton gives his team the best chance to win. At the same time it increases concern about Bryce Young’s ability right now to lead the team and raises even more questions about his chances of being a franchise quarterback. Dalton did all the things the ineffective Young hasn’t been able to do for most of his brief NFL career: force defenses to respect the passing game, move the Panthers down the field and score points. Dalton finished 26 of 37 for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Young hadn’t thrown a touchdown passes in his previous four starts; Dalton had three before halftime.… Continue Reading

Andy Dalton passes for 319 yards and 3 TDs to lead Panthers past Raiders 36-22 for first win

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Andy Dalton gave the Panthers the quarterback play they’ve been sorely lacking, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns to lead Carolina past the Las Vegas Raiders 36-22. Promoted to the starting job in place of the ineffective Bryce Young, Dalton guided the Panthers to their first win and moved to 4-0 lifetime against the Raiders. Carolina is 3-17 going back to last season. The Panthers were blown out the first two weeks this year, prompting coach Dave Canales to bench Young. Dalton completed 26 of 37 passes and becoming the first NFL quarterback this season to post a 300-yard, three-TD performance.… Continue Reading