4 ways Carolina Panthers QB Sam Darnold can hurt the Cowboys in Week 4

Sam Darnold must avoid silly mistakes

The Dallas Cowboys don’t have to focus their game plan on stopping Christian McCaffrey from doing damage out of the backfield. This makes it all the more essential Sam Darnold plays mistake-free football in Week 4.

Darnold hasn’t quite eradicated the errors that blighted his time at MetLife Stadium out of his game just yet. Things might have looked far different had his two fumbles at the Houston Texans not been recovered, for example.

Simply put, Darnold has to carry the Carolina Panthers on his back until McCaffrey returns. And play flawlessly in the process.

That’s a lot of pressure. But it’s what separates the good quarterbacks from the great.

Darnold has the weapons and still has fourth-round pick Chuba Hubbard and Royce Freeman to potentially set the tempo in the running game. However, Dan Quinn knows that if the No. 3 overall selection in 2018 becomes flustered in the pocket, then turnover opportunities could follow.

Say what you want about how Quinn’s tenure with the Atlanta Falcons ended, but the man knows how to scheme pressure. Something that poses a real concern for Carolina’s offensive line.

Doing the smart thing is imperative for Darnold. If he keeps progressing in this area and makes the odd big play here and there, the Panthers definitely have a chance.