P.J. Walker makes the right moves at QB in Panthers' 21-3 win vs. Tampa Bay (2024)

PHOTO | TROY HULL

P.J. Walker, who started training camp as the Carolina Panthers' fourth-string quarterback tossed a pair of touchdown passes Sunday in their 21-3 win against Tampa Bay.

Who knew that P.J. Walker would play the best game by a Panthers quarterback in week 7? And on top of that, against one of the NFL’s best defenses?

Walker knew. Maybe not that he’d have a career game and outduel Tom Brady, but he knew that he would be here on the Panthers’ roster this season, despite being in the bottom of the quarterback competition between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold. In fact, receiver D.J. Moore let him know of that in training camp as they had conversations reassuring Walker of his place on the team.

In the first home game after the firing of coach Matt Rhule and trading Christian McAffrey, Walker made his presence worth it in a 21-3 takedown of the Buccaneers. Walker played the best game of any Panther quarterback this season, completing 16-of-22 passes for 177 yards. The backup turned temporary starter is the first Panthers quarterback to throw for two touchdowns in a game this season.

“P.J. had an outstanding performance,” interim head coach Steve Wilks said. “When you look at what he did today — still gotta evaluate the tape — it’s gonna be hard to try to pull him out.”

It was clear from the Panthers’ first offensive play from scrimmage that Walker’s second start of the season would go a lot different from his first. In the Panthers’ week six loss against the Rams, Walker completed 10-of-16 passes and didn’t throw deep until the second half.

“I wasn’t too happy about the performance I played last week, especially on third down,” he said. “(Missed) some coverages that led to some three and outs.”

On the Panthers’ first play Sunday from their 10, Walker found receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. 38 yards downfield on the sideline. Although the pass was ruled incomplete after video review, it showed Walker was going to be more aggressive.

“(That play) showed that we weren’t gonna sit back, and we’re gonna be aggressive. And it showed that we wanted to push the ball down the field and try to really see what we can get,” Wilks said.

Interceptions have plagued Walker in previous starts, with two against Detroit in 2020 and one against Arizona in 2021. Against the Buccaneers, Walker didn’t turn the ball over at all, despite rolling out and making risky throws throughout the game.

“I can make every throw, but every throw don’t gotta be made,” he said. “So, that’s something I’ve learned. Every ball ain’t gotta be pushed down the field, it can be thrown away…Live to fight another down. That’s how I approach the game now.”

Walker made some exceptional throws against Tampa Bay, some that have been rarely attemted by Panthers quarterbacks this season. For the touchdown to Moore, Walker put the perfect amount of air and velocity together to get the ball over the head of a defender and into Moore’s hands right before he ran out of the back of the end zone.

Wilks didn’t think that was his best throw of the day. That would be the touchdown to tight end Tommy Tremble that put the game away with nine minutes to go.

“P.J. really stepped up today and made that play, made the plays that we needed,” Tremble said. “So, we really appreciate him for that.”

The defense appreciated Walker’s efforts as well, for it was one of the few times this season that the offense complimented their high level of play.The Panthers held Brady’s offense to three points, the worst output for Tampa Bay since a shutout by New Orleans on Dec. 19, 2021.

Cornerback Donte Jackson said it “feels good” to have a complete team win where the offense and defense play well.

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