New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield have won the past two NFC Offensive Player of the Week awards.

Both quarterbacks won the award with the Green Bay Packers as their opponent.

On Sunday, the Packers play the Carolina Panthers. Does that put Carolina quarterback Bryce Young in line to be the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 16 of the NFL’s 2023 season?

Maybe if the rookie can play as he did on the Panthers’ final possession of Sunday’s 9-7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The former Alabama All-American completed all five of his passes for 68 yards as Carolina moved from its 5-yard line into possession for a 23-yard, game-winning field goal on the final snap.

“It’s about us being able to show up and play our game,” Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown said about the Packers’ recent defensive struggles. “I think being able to be consistent, kind of build upon that last drive in particular because that kind of gave you a glimpse of what happens when we actually execute, are on the same page, are making plays across the board — we can put together some drives. It’s always more about us than about anybody else.”

But if the Carolina offense can march the length of the field in an extended series that used 7:35 of clock time to grab the victory, why are the Panthers averaging 14.7 points per game in the 2023 NFL season?

“I had a couple of mixed emotions,” Brown said about Carolina’s game-winning drive against Atlanta, “when it came to missed opportunities earlier in the game and the fact that we could’ve been doing this the entire game, to be honest with you.”

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The Panthers have won two games this season. In its first victory, Carolina moved 86 yards in 15 plays for a field goal on the final play in a 15-13 victory over the Houston Texans on Oct. 29.

“There’s a lot of good you can take from it in those moments, those got-to-have-it situations,” Young said. “I’m grateful to be a part of it for everyone on the team, and for us as a unit to step up, we’ve been able to do that. …

“But also it shows us the untapped potential that we have. It shouldn’t take that. We shouldn’t have to wait until it’s that scenario. That’s not something that’s going to come up every game, so we can’t rely on that. You see it, and it’s great. But we got to make sure that’s not what it calls for, that we’re able to do that drive in and drive out, we’re able to do that in all four quarters.”

Especially the first two quarters: The Panthers haven’t scored a first-half touchdown since the victory over the Texans – a span of seven games without crossing the goal line in the first 30 minutes.

“It really just comes down to execution,” Young said. “It starts with myself doing a better job, and then we all take ownership as an offense wanting to put points on the board. Definitely want to start stronger.”

If Carolina hopes to finish with a flourish in its final three games, the Panthers need to score more points – starting with the first half, interim coach Chris Tabor said.

“There’s no question: We got to get the ball in the end zone,” Tabor said. “You’re not going to win a lot of games just kicking field goals. We understand that. But for us, the only thing you do is say, ‘OK, here’s the next challenge. Let’s try and accomplish that this game.’”

Before beating the Falcons, Carolina lost to the New Orleans Saints 28-6 on Dec. 10. Young completed 13-of-36 passes for 137 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Against Atlanta, Young completed 18-of-24 passes for 167 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

Young jumped from his worst passing-efficiency rating of the season to his second-best. Young’s top two passer ratings have come in Carolina’s two victories.

“I think he’s playing well,” Tabor said of Young. “I know the previous game to this last one, he wanted some things back there, and I know that was talked about. But the way he bounced back in this game was really a great step for him. …

“You’re watching a player get better, and there’s going to be some ups and downs with a younger player – and even older players – but I like where he’s at right now.”

The Panthers and Packers square off at noon CST Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

While Carolina has a 2-12 record, Green Bay is 6-8. But that’s not quite out of playoff contention in the NFC. After the Panthers, the Packers play the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 31 and Chicago Bears on Jan. 7 to complete their regular-season schedule.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.