Entering Week 3 with no sacks and one quarterback hit, the Panthers knew that had to change. Rookie quarterbacks are notoriously susceptible to making mistakes when they face heavy pressure.

“Honestly, guys came to rush. That’s how I see it,” Burns said. “Going into this week, the preparation was get after the quarterback, perfect our moves.”

Carolina’s defense set that tone from Los Angeles’ first drive. On third-and-10, Haynes broke through the dam to sack Herbert, snapping the Panthers’ pass-rushing slump. Armed with a 3-0 lead on the second defensive possession, Burns strip-sacked Herbert by punching the ball out as he was preparing to throw. Linebacker Tahir Whitehead recovered the loose ball, and Carolina took over at the Chargers’ 35-yard line.

“My mindset on that strip-sack was run, but Shaq Thompson yelled behind me, ‘Pass, pass!’ … And I pinned my ears back, and ran”