Carolina Panthers: 5 bold predictions vs Jets in Week 1

Carolina Panthers Week 1 bold prediction No. 2: Sam Darnold throws for 300+ yards and 3 touchdowns

Have you heard this is the Sam Darnold revenge game?

But seriously, this is a huge game for Darnold. Not only is it against the team that gave up on the former first-round pick after just three years, but it is big in solidifying himself as the Panthers quarterback of the future.

Darnold used his first training camp with the Panthers to work on his lower half. Many of the bad decision-making that he experienced in New York was due to throws off balance and on his back foot.

The USC product did not see a lot of preseason game action, but a lot of his work was done in the two joint practices. He saw a lot of reps with the Colts and Ravens number one defenses. Darnold though did get a half in the final preseason against Pittsburgh. With a final stat line of completing 19 of 25 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns. A nice step in the right direction in preparation for week one against the Jets.

What will help Darnold in his first game with the Panthers is the weapons he has on offense that he did not necessarily have while in New York.

Darnold has been very soft-spoken in his talks about the significance of this game for him personally. With the exception of safety Marcus Maye, the Jets secondary can be had.

Look for Darnold to connect with his new toys early and often in what I expect to be a banner day for the Panthers signal-caller.