4 Carolina Panthers games with interesting storylines in 2021

(Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports) Robby Anderson
(Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports) Robby Anderson /
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(Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports) Sam Darnold /

Carolina Panthers vs. New York Jets (Week 1)

  • The Sam Darnold and Robby Anderson revenge game.

If Sam Darnold was hoping for something of a bedding-in period before the pressure mounted, the schedule-makers made sure this was not going to be the case.

The quarterback’s first competitive game for the Carolina Panthers will be against his former team, the New York Jets, at Bank of America Stadium in Week 1. This is arguably the best game Darnold could have asked for and there will be no greater source of motivation than securing victory in the face of a team that gave up on him earlier this offseason.

In truth, the Jets did very little to assist Darnold over the last three years.

A lack of talent in the passing game, no consistent protection, and inept coaching meant the writing was on the wall. But his final opportunity in Carolina has to go well if the former USC star wants to prove he really was a victim of his environment at MetLife Stadium.

It isn’t just Darnold looking for revenge.

Robby Anderson was clearly utilized in the wrong way by the Jets. One only has to look at how he’s thrived all over the field following his move to the Panthers last spring to see that.

He’s been less than complimentary about the toxic atmosphere in New York under Adam Gase. So he’ll want to stick it to his old team along with Darnold.