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Top 5 NFL Week 9 Takeaways: Saints @ Panthers

Doc gives his biggest takeaways from the Saints @ Panthers game!

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 19: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints looks to pass during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Caesars Superdome on October 19, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Derek Carr threw for 236 yards and a touchdown but is going to be facing a lot of criticism this coming week as he threw a pass into major traffic that got Chris Olave concussed. While it’s not fair to blame a quarterback for what happens to his receivers, Carr put the ball in a situation that was very dangerous, and former Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas has already gone on to social media to criticize the throw.

Alvin Kamara

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 08: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball and is tackled by Xavier Woods #25 of the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Caesars Superdome on January 08, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Kamara rushed 29 times for 155 yards and also caught 6 passes for 60 yards. He is a major weapon in both reality and fantasy. If the Saints were to lose him, they would lose about 80 to 90% of their offense. Taysom Hill filled the role of RB2 behind Kamara with Kendre Miller on the IR and Jamaal Williams inactive with an injury.

Chuba Hubbard

CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 21: Chuba Hubbard #30 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against DeShon Elliott #32 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first half of a NFL preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Chris Keane/Getty Images)

In what might have been his final game as the starting running back for the Panthers, Chuba Hubbard had 15 carries for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie running back Jonathan Brooks from the University of Texas is expected to return to the lineup in Week 10 after missing time with a gruesome knee injury. While it will take Brooks some time to get to playing speed, he will siphon carries away from Hubbard immediately.

Xavier Legette

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 13: Xavier Legette #17 of the Carolina Panthers makes a touchdown pass against Clark Phillips III #22 of the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Matt Kelley/Getty Images)

With Diontae Johnson now a Baltimore Raven, look for rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette to become the WR1 for Carolina. Legette did not have a ton of great looks thrown his way Sunday, but he did have a fantastic catch in the end zone for a touchdown. What makes him a special player is that he can be used all over the field and is not just a speed burner who runs a limited route tree.

Bryce Young

CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 25: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers throws a touchdown pass during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

This game did a lot for Bryce Young’s confidence, getting the team a big win at home. Young threw for 171 yards and a touchdown and for the most part looked confident. There will be a lot of questions as to whether Young or Andy Dalton should start in Week 10 but coming off a win I would be surprised if Panthers head coach Dave Canales would make a change.