CHARLOTTE — Once upon a time, the Panthers were coached by a man who said things like "a punt is not a bad play." Now, however, the Panthers are on the front edge of treating fourth down the same way they do first, second, and third.

They've made progress in a number of areas on offense this season, but they stand out when a lot of teams are getting ready to punt.

The Panthers lead the NFL in both fourth-down conversions attempted (27) and made (18), and that has given the offense a new liberty with the way they play.

When third down isn't the end of the world, it changes the way you think about offense.

"Oh yeah, we talk about that as a team, as a unit, we always say, 'Give the play caller a decision on fourth down," Panthers quarterback Bryce Young said.

They've done that this yea

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