CHARLOTTE— There are several reasons Andy Dalton and Xavier Legette seem to have a chemistry that just pops off the field.

Some of it is all the work the two put in together last offseason, ahead of Legette's rookie year. Some of it is the growth Legette experienced during the time Dalton was starting last season. Some of it is just a matter of circumstance, and the plays that unfold when those two happen to be on the field together.

Dave Canales also has another theory, a new layer that could be added to the relationship.

"Maybe his history," Canales posed Monday of Dalton's time with the Cincinnati Bengals. "A.J. Green, big bodies, throwing to those guys, he had a good group of receivers, tight ends in Cincinnati in his past, so maybe it's that comfort level, just seeing that big frame and just getting him a ball within his frame that he can do something with."

For what it's worth, during their time together in Cincy, Dalton and Green connected for 591 receptions for 8,772 yards and 61 touchdowns. Legette, in his young career, has pulled in 27 catches for 269 yards and three touchdowns in seven games with Dalton.

Sunday, in a 13-6 win against the New York Jets, Dalton came in at the beginning of the fourth-quarter after Bryce Young exited with an ankle injury. Dalton's first pass was to Legette. By the end of the game, Dalton had gone 4-of-7 for 60 yards. All of his completions were to Legette. It helped bring Legette a career day. Between the passes (and touchdown) he caught from Young, and his production with Dalton, the second-year receiver finished with nine receptions for 92 yards—both career highs—and the score.

"One thing, I feel like you just got to give him a chance to make some plays," Dalton said of Legette on Sunday. "And I think he showed today he's been making plays obviously than early on in the season. We're giving him more opportunities as well.

"So when you get those chances, give him one-on-one. I mean, he's physically—there's not very many people like him with his size and strength and everything that he can do and we haven't seen the best of X yet and he's just going to keep getting better."

Legette's previous career highs were six receptions for 66 yards and his first career touchdown against the Bengals in Week 4 of his rookie season, also with Dalton throwing him the ball.

"I mean, Andy's a good quarterback," said Legette. "He finds me, so I'm going to keep it with that right there."

No rep between the duo on Sunday was more important than the final pass of the game. Facing third-and-8 from their own 45-yard line with 1:36 remaining, the Panthers needed a first down to effectively end the game and walk out of MetLife Stadium with a win. When the offense received the play call in the huddle, Legette wasn't 100 percent sure the ball would come to him…but he had a feeling.

"When they call the play, I mean I don't know who he's going to throw it to," shared Legette. "I kind of had a feeling he was going to throw it to me, so I was prepared just in case if he did and he did and I was able to make the play."

The conversion, not only an impressive catch, moved the chains and allowed the Panthers to kneel out the rest of the clock.

"I think just in that situation, they brought a pressure and we had him one-on-one," explained Dalton. "I told him right before that last drive, 'Hey you're going to make a play that's going to help us win this game.' So, in that moment, I gave him the opportunity and he made a great play and we were able to seal it at the end."

As for Legette's career day, the receiver isn't putting much heed behind the numbers. To his mind, there haven't been enough big days to celebrate this one yet.

"No, no," Legette shook his head when asked if he celebrated the accomplishment. "I want to stack more games like that. I don't want to get too high and I ain't going to be too low about it either. I mean, I want to keep it even."

There is a chance Dalton plays on Sunday against the Bills. The Panthers are taking it day-to-day with Young and his ankle. Legette said Monday nothing about the huddle or the offense changes with one quarterback on the field versus the other.

"Oh, it's the same, man," said Legette. "He's just trying to make sure we know exactly what we're doing so we can execute the play.

"I don't think nothing changes. Like I said, Andy's a good quarterback. I think we'll be able to execute in there with him."

The offense has progressed under Young this season, as he, Canales, and the receivers all grow more comfortable within their scheme, and that includes Legette, who has brought in two touchdowns—both from Young—this season. If Dalton does play though, history has shown Legette could stack another career day with the veteran quarterback. If that happens, it won't be a surprise to Canales.

"I love that chemistry," said Canales. "I love the fact that, even if I go back to last year, Jalen Coker makes our team because of the way that Andy was throwing to Jalen during our look team, in our card offense really, and showing what he could do and really showcasing Jalen's ability.

"And then you know if he goes out there and it's Andy playing, you know, having an opportunity to play with TMac ( Tetairoa McMillan) and Coker and Xavier is pretty exciting in the group that's growing."