3 things Panthers QB Sam Darnold must do better through Week 4
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold must improve 3rd quarter production
It remains a mystery just why the Carolina Panthers are struggling so much in the third quarter. Outside of their convincing win at the Houston Texans in Week 3, the team has been nothing short of lackluster offensively after the halftime interval and fortunately, it’s only come with one defeat so far.
This is an ongoing problem and is more to do with coaching adjustments than anything else. That being said, Sam Darnold also needs to shoulder his share of the responsibility in the face of defenses that come out with a renewed mindset for the second half of games.
The splits between Darnold’s third-quarter numbers and the rest is astonishing, as highlighted by Julian Council, host of the Locked on Panthers podcast.
Speaking of the Panthers 3rd Quarter issues check out Sam Darnold's passing splits per quarter:
— Julian Council (@JulianCouncil) October 4, 2021
1st - 72.7%, 308 yds, 1 TD, 111.7 rating
2nd - 75.5%, 415 yds, 2 TD, 118.3
3rd - 43.3%, 164 yds, 0 TD, 3 INT, 21.4
4th - 73.6%, 302 yds, 2 TD, 114.1
What is happening at halftime?
Had Darnold not thrown two costly interceptions at the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter – both to stud cornerback Trevon Diggs – then the outcome may have been different.
It’s not all on Darnold, obviously. And once Joe Brady figures out what changes a particular defense has made then things revert to type in the fourth quarter.
But when push comes to shove, it’s on the signal-caller to make things happen no matter how poor the protection is in front of him.