If you’re like me, Monday mornings after an NFL Sunday are a bit of a ritual.

You probably start the day by browsing through football media, hoping to find insights that clarify what happened the day before. That could mean checking out different sources for their analyses, watching clips from film experts diving into the All-22 footage from all angles, and poring over statistics to find unique perspectives on each game.

This past Monday, after Week 2’s slate of games, I came across some quarterback rankings that made me stop in my tracks.

Is Bryce Young really on fire this season?

Currently, Young ranks among the top quarterbacks in several key statistical categories. So far, he’s completed 46 out of 73 passes, racking up 648 yards, with six touchdowns and just one interception. He’s sitting in second place for passing yards, tied for first in touchdowns, joint second for first downs at 29, and is fifth in Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt at 9.1.

When looking at Quarterback Efficiency—which includes Expected Points Added per Play and Completion Percentage Over Expected—Young is positioned in the upper right quadrant alongside some of the biggest names in the sport.

He’s also proving himself in the deep passing game. Data from Pro Football Focus indicates that Young has hit on 8 of 12 throws over 20 yards this season, generating 286 yards, a touchdown, and one interception. His Adjusted Completion Percentage on deep throws is 66.7%, ranking second in the league, just behind Tyler Shough.

Yes, we might actually see a Tyler Shough vs. Bryce Young matchup in the NFC South!

In a dominant performance, Young led the Carolina Panthers to a 34-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. He completed 23 of 36 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns, without a single interception. Watching his film against Atlanta, you can see why this performance could be the beginning of something sustainable—thanks to the offensive schemes introduced by Dave Canales and Young’s own skills.

Take, for instance, a long completion to Tet McMillan on the right side of the field:

Here, the play was a clever move against a Cover 6 scheme from Atlanta. The Falcons were indeed in that coverage, with one side aligned over the left side of the offense and the Cover 2 side covering McMillan, the only receiver on the right.

This alignment gave the Falcons some advantage, but when Young faked a run, it drew running back Chuba Hubbard across the formation, disrupting their defensive setup.

Young rolled to the side but aimed for McMillan on a deep out-breaking route, which was aimed at the Cover 2 side. The run fake momentarily held the cornerback near the line, but he couldn’t get under the throw as Young, facing pressure, brilliantly hit McMillan for a substantial gain.

There’s another instance of a similar concept against a two-deep structure, this time Cover 2:

Young again executed a run fake, with McMillan running a deep out route to the left and Jalen Coker on the opposite side. Using a half-roll, Young made another solid throw to McMillan outside.

In this case, both paths were clear for him, and he could’ve hit Coker easily. But he chose the out route, which again demonstrated how the run action helped create an ample passing window.

Let’s shift gears a bit and discuss how Young is dealing with other facets of the position.

When observing quarterbacks, you can often tell when the game starts to slow down for them, usually seen in their ability to make more “anticipation throws.” These are moments where the ball is released before the receiver even breaks, indicating the quarterback trusts his read and is confident about where to send the ball.

Such throws signal that a young quarterback is finally finding his rhythm in the NFL.

Consider this completion against the Falcons from Sunday:

Here, Young again attacks a Cover 2 with an out-breaking route. What stands out is the timing and anticipation; he starts his motion before Coker’s break, firing the pass to a spot where only his receiver can make the catch.

This illustrates the game “slowing down” for Young.

And this play from Week 1 is even better:

In a matchup against the Chicago Bears, the defense brought eight players to pressure the quarterback, who faced man coverage in the secondary. Yet, Young delivered a superb anticipation throw, effectively countering the Bears’ blitz.

To really understand the moment, let’s look at the moment Young released the ball:

McMillan was running an out-and-up, just beginning his break, while Young anticipates the pressure and recognizes the coverage, firing the pass for a big gain.

This again shows that the game is starting to feel easier for him.

So, from his schemes to his anticipatory throwing, it seems like Young’s path is on the upswing. These anticipation throws can support the argument that his strong performance is sustainable.

However, for those who might want to temper that enthusiasm, the context of the games comes into play.

In particular, the defenses faced in Chicago and Atlanta might not be the toughest.

Still, it’s undeniable that Young has made a positive start, and his progress in timing and anticipation is a genuine indicator of his growth as a passer.

As he encounters tougher defenses, these skills will likely serve him well.

And maybe even help him maintain this impressive start throughout the season.