Panthers

Panthers K Ryan Fitzgerald has converted four game-winning field goals this season as a rookie. Fitzgerald thinks playing in high-pressure situations since his college days at Florida State has been very helpful for him.

“When I look at my WHOOP (fitness tracker) after games, it’s not the case. But it feels like it during the game. I feel calm and relaxed,” Fitzgerald said, via Joseph Person of The Athletic. “I think it’s just being in those moments, playing at a high level in college. It’s a different level here, for sure, but just being in those moments more and more, it’s good to have that adrenaline and those nerves. I think that’s when people perform their best is when you have that adrenaline. So just learning to channel that is what helps.”

Carolina S Nick Scott has noticed the amount of confidence Fitzgerald has in himself.

“ He’s cold-hearted. I like him a lot,” Scott said. “He’s a young dude, smaller build and kind of carries this innocent demeanor. But he’s a killer, man. He’s got some of the best self-talk that I’ve ever heard. His confidence is through the roof.”

When asked about Fitzgerald’s self-talk, Scott recalled moments in practice where the kicker reassured himself he’d make the kicks during games.

“Just hearing him talking, he was like, ‘Ah, it doesn’t matter. I make the ones in the game.’ I was like, ‘Oh, OK, that’s my guy right there. And he’s not wrong,’” Scott said. “ When you have a young guy that’s already talking like that, but being serious and meaning it, I’m with him — wrong, right or indifferent. Whether that thing goes through the goal posts on game day or not, I know he’s gonna get the next one. And he’s thinking the same thing.”

Panthers HC Dave Canales gave credit to the Seahawks’ defense and said that they showed them multiple different looks that kept Carolina’s offense off guard.

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