Bryce Young Earns High Marks for Season-Closing Performance

After a season that began with questions about his future in Carolina, Bryce Young has played himself into a position where he's now considered one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

The second-year quarterback out of Alabama had another stellar outing on Sunday, leading the Panthers to a huge win over the Atlanta Falcons in a game that had major playoff implications for both teams.

Young finished the game completing 21-of-27 passes for 289 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. He also added 10 carries for 40 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

It was the second time this season that Young has rushed for multiple touchdowns, and his five total touchdowns were a career-high.

The performance also helped Young move up in the NFL QB rankings for Week 18, where he's now ranked among the top five quarterbacks in the league.

Here's a look at some of the national reactions to Young's performance:

"Panthers QB Bryce Young is just the second player this season to have at least 3 passing and 2 rushing TDs in a game. He joins Josh Allen, who accomplished that in Week 14 against the Rams."

- Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports

"Young had pristine accuracy on all his touchdown throws. The first two were relatively wide-open, but he put the ball perfectly on both players (Miles Sanders and Tommy Tremble) for the score. His third TD was perfect timing with David Moore, who used his inside leverage to continue in untouched for a score."

- Darin Gantt, Panthers.com

"The passing was one thing, but Young used his legs so well. Not only did he run for another two touchdowns (his fifth since returning to the lineup in Week 8), but he manipulated the pocket so well. With edge rushers barreling around the corner of the banged-up line and blitzers sometimes running free, the second-year quarterback consistently made them miss or climbed the pocket at the perfect time."

- David Newton, ESPN

"His awareness and footwork were incredible, and they helped extend plays and lead to positive yardage. That's an underrated aspect of Young's game that has grown a lot lately. It doesn't show up in the box score (or does it, since it translates to good plays?), but it is one thing the elite QBs do that Young has been good at. He excelled there on Sunday. The Falcons have a solid defense, but they had no answers for the quarterback on Sunday."

- Ellis L. Williams, Panthers Wire

Young's performance was a fitting way to end a season that saw him go from being benched in Week 7 to leading the Panthers to a 9-8 record and a berth in the NFC South title game.

He heads into year three in the NFL in the best spot he's been, and his performance on Sunday should inspire hope going into the offseason, something the team hasn't had in so many years.