Head coach Dave Canales said three weeks ago when he elevated Andy Dalton that the veteran gave the Panthers their best chance to win. In other words, Dalton gave Carolina its best chance to score more points.
Carolina has done that and more in two games since Dalton took the reins of the offense, combining for 60 points. Prior to the current streak, the Panthers hadn’t reached 60 points in consecutive games in five years, since Oct. 6-13, 2019.
Perhaps the player benefitting most from that decision isn’t one of Dalton’s receivers. It’s running back Chuba Hubbard, who’s accomplished something since the quarterback change he’s never done in four NFL seasons: Rush for 100 yards in consecutive games.
“Honestly, I’ve just been working to be the best back overall,” Hubbard said this week with Gabe McDonald from Charlotte Sports Live. “I want to be able to catch the ball, run the ball and block. One thing I struggled with earlier in my career, obviously, was catching the ball. So, I made it a point of emphasis as something I won’t let show up anymore.”
It hasn’t, especially over the last two games with Dalton. Hubbard has caught all nine passes Dalton has thrown him, including the quarterback’s first 2024 touchdown pass in the big 36-22 win at Las Vegas on Oct. 22. Hubbard credited his line, block receivers and even the current coaching staff.
“I love the scheme that we have this year, a bunch of variety of different runs,” said Hubbard, who’s had five head coaches since Carolina selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. “They work toward our strengths. The coaches let us work toward our strengths. That’s really been a big thing because, often, you have different coaches and different things that show up where they kind of do what they want to do. But they’ve allowed us to be our best selves and live in that area, so it’s been great.”
What’s great is that Hubbard is on pace for his first 1,000-yard rushing season. And after Atlanta (3-2) beat Tampa Bay (3-2) on Thursday night, Carolina is very much alive in the NFC South race. The Panthers (1-3) are at Chicago (2-2) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, FOX) against Dalton’s former team.