When the Carolina Panthers traveled home after their recent loss in the Bay Area, cornerback Mike Jackson used the time to reflect on his upcoming responsibilities. With Jaycee Horn sidelined due to concussion protocol and Corey Thornton out for the season with a broken fibula, Jackson knew he would have a larger role in the defense for their Week 13 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
“This is what you worked hard for your whole life to show, bro, you can do this,” Jackson said of his mindset leading up to Sunday’s game. “Like all them times on practice squad, getting up at 5:30 in the morning, was for this moment. And I felt like I took advantage of it.”
Jackson delivered on his promise by intercepting Matthew Stafford and returning it for a touchdown, helping lead Carolina to a 31-28 win over the top-seeded Rams. “He’s a Hall of Famer. When he makes that Hall of Fame speech I’ll be thinking about that pick-six,” Jackson said.
He added that this week was likely the most focused he has ever been as he transitioned from field corner to boundary corner. “I can honestly say this probably was the most locked in this week I’ve ever been. Just going from the field to the boundary, going out there and show that I can be a number one corner,” he said.
Jackson acknowledged some plays he wanted back, including giving up two big gains—one being a one-handed catch by Puka Nacua—but emphasized resilience: “At the end of the day, know who you are… You’re going to get punched, you’re going to get hit in the mouth, too.”
For much of Sunday’s game, Jackson matched up against Davante Adams. The veteran receiver finished with four catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns but was denied on key plays by Jackson’s coverage. “I love going against him because he’s a Hall of Fame receiver. I caught a pick on him last year, got a third-down stop this year,” Jackson said.
The highlight came when Stafford’s streak of 317 consecutive passes without an interception ended after Derrick Brown deflected and Nick Scott intercepted a pass at Carolina’s 8-yard line. Shortly afterward, Jackson made his own mark by picking off Stafford again and scoring.
“Once you get a turnover early, they come in bunches,” said Jackson.
On what became his first career pick-six, Jackson explained: “On film, they kind of like that route… so it was just kind of like, just take a chance and live with the result.” He credited teammate Nick Scott for providing crucial blocking during his return.
Coach Dave Canales praised Jackson’s performance: “It’s unbelievable and first career pick-six for Mike… Just a great payoff, the fundamentals were right. His feet were in the ground. He broke on the ball perfectly and then came away with the score.”
Jackson plans to give the football from his pick-six to his son: “That’s for my son,” he noted.
The Panthers now enter their bye week before facing New Orleans in Week 14. With Horn expected back soon—and currently holding five interceptions compared to Jackson’s three—the internal competition between teammates will continue.
“I got to get two in the game. (Jaycee’s) ahead, so I got to get two in the game,” joked Jackson.
“For me, it was kind of like, just show who you are,” said Jackson about fulfilling his promise made during that long flight home.
