4 things that must change for the Carolina Panthers in 2021
By Dean Jones
Coming through in the clutch
In fairness to the Carolina Panthers, they were far more competitive than anybody expected against some elite teams looking to get their hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2020. However, this counted for nothing thanks to their ability to get things done when it mattered most.
The Panthers lost an astonishing eight games by one score last season. This ultimately led to Teddy Bridgewater being traded to the Denver Broncos and Carolina hedging their bets on Sam Darnold doing a better job in these situations moving forward.
There is not much evidence to suggest Darnold will be any more prolific.
The former USC star struggled during his three years with the New York Jets, so the Panthers are banking on his potential and the fact he is still young enough to reignite his career with more weapons around him.
Darnold doesn’t have to be that great, in all honesty.
Providing the offensive line holds up, all he’ll have to do is make red zone opportunities count and distribute the football quickly, efficiently, and down the field when the opportunity arises.
If he can do that, everything else will fall into place.
Bridgewater going 0-8 on game-winning or tying drives in 2020 proved to be his downfall. Darnold will be hoping that history does not repeat itself next season.