Carolina Panthers cornerback lined up in the slot last Sunday facing wide receiver – and personal rival – Davante Adams. It was first-and-10 and the Oakland Raiders were beginning to mount a drive following the Panthers’ first opening possession touchdown in 21 NFL games.
Gardner Minshew accepted the shotgun snap and without taking a step, the Raiders quarterback turned and released a screen pass to Jakobi Meyers, who attempted to dart up-field. But Jackson, who worked past Adams’ passive block attempt, reached out with left arm and tackled Meyers for no gain.
Mike Jackson Lives NFL ‘Life of DB’ With Panthers
“How good of a tackle is that?” CBS television analyst Adam Archuleta said immediately after the play.
When Jackson rose, he could be seen trash-talking with Adams. It failed to cease.
On the next play, Jackson lined up wide, opposite Tre Tucker, who sprinted off the snap and raced past Jackson and safety Xavier Woods, hauling in a 54-yard pass. The big play set up the Raiders’ game-tying score with 24 seconds left in the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium.
Engineered by new starting quarterback Andy Dalton, the Panthers opened the second quarter with a 10-play scoring drive, capped by Diontae Johnson’s 5-yard touchdown catch.
Anchored by Jackson’s ability to bypass bad outcomes, the Panthers scored 26 unanswered points, securing the 36-22 Week 3 victory after being routed in their opening two NFL outings.
#Panthers CB2 Mike Jackson is becoming a popular personality within the rebuilding #NFL organization … pic.twitter.com/Q5lNd8x3Ps
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) September 27, 2024
Mike Jackson Earns Panthers’ Praise
On the Raiders’ next possession, Jackson lined up away from Adams, who positioned himself on the other side of the line. It was fourth-and-three and Minshew attempted to force a short pass to rookie tight end Brock Bowers, but Jackson read the play and “batted down … Jackson played it brilliantly,” CBS play-by-play announcer Spero Dedes declared.
“Just the life of a DB,” Jackson said during a video press conference Monday.
The sixth-year veteran arrived on the Panthers’ roster following a post-training camp trade with the Seattle Seahawks. Establishing himself as a reliable CB2, opposite Jaycee Horn, Jackson has registered 19 tackles and three of his four passes defended developed against the Raiders.
Jackson described the mindset he attempts to maintain during games. The Panthers (1-2) face the Cincinnati Bengals (0-3) at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday.
“Before I gave up the deep ball, I had a tackle on a screen,” Jackson said. “Get up and talk trash and then you give up a deep ball. Any time that happens, I say to myself, ‘What are you going to do? Are you going to go into a shell? Or are you going to go out there and play?’ “
His answer to himself? Make a big play. Then a bigger one.
“All right, you give up a deep ball, go get a pick and people will forget about it,” he said. “Get two picks and they really forget about it. You just gotta keep playing. Remember, but forget it.
“Remember, how did I get beat, but forget that you got beat. That’s just kinda my thought process.”
With Dane Jackson returning soon, has Mike Jackson (2), working on route coverage technique during Wednesday’s #NFL practice, done enough to retain #Panthers’ CB2 role? … pic.twitter.com/NG1xRzMDEe
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) September 25, 2024
Dave Canales: ‘Mike’s Done Great Job’
Well, Jackson didn’t get two picks against the Raiders, but Dave Canales will remember the one he had, helping the rookie coach clinch his first win. The Panthers were outscored, 73-13, in their opening two outings.
“Mike’s done a great job,” Canales said. “He’s been a dependable corner out there. I’m really impressed with his effort and finish.”
But will Jackson get a chance to finish future games? Cornerback Dane Jackson (hamstring), a key offseason addition, is nearing a return from his stint on injured reserve. Canales and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero will soon be forced to decide on the position’s pecking order, but the depth of the Panthers’ secondary appears promising.
By “limiting” Adams to four catches and 40 yards, Jackson lauded the collective effort.
“We played a group,” Jackson said. “He’s gonna make his plays. You just gotta show you’re not scared, you’re not gonna back down.”
Like Jackson did when Adams executed a stiff arm against him.
“I was pissed about that,” he said.
And he looked to get even.
With the Panthers protecting a 33-15 advantage with 8:45 remaining, Jackson took advantage of miscommunication between Minshew and Adams and intercepted the second pass of his career. Cradling the ball, Jackson “wasn’t even trying score,” as he searched for Adams, but the six-time Pro Bowler was nowhere near.
“I tried to stiff-arm him back,” Jackson said.
Win the play. Lose the play. Keep going.
“I’m still going to keep talking to you,” Jackson said. “At the end of the day, you’re not Superman. You ain’t got no cape.
“Going against a guy like (Adams). Those are the matchups you talk to your kids about 20-30 years from now. That’s just the love of the game.”
#Panthers CB2 Mike Jackson and new WR3 Xavier Legette stretch before Wednesday’s #NFL practice … pic.twitter.com/YbFveCafQO
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) September 25, 2024
Main Photo: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
