5 major factors to blame for Panthers loss vs. the Vikings in Week 6
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers QB Sam Darnold was indecisive
Sam Darnold deserves credit for his 96-yard drive that brought the Carolina Panthers back from the brink. But his overall level of performance just wasn’t up to the required standard once again.
The quarterback got off to the worst possible start with an interception on his very first throw and things didn’t get much better throughout the first half in which Darnold and the Panthers were sluggish from an offensive point of view.
Darnold pulled out that late, long drive out of nowhere. It’s consistency that’s the biggest problem and something that was a real concern when the signal-caller arrived from the New York Jets.
There is a growing sense of unrest regarding Darnold. One doesn’t have to look far on Panthers’ Twitter to see that confidence has decreased greatly in the former first-round pick and the jury is still out as to whether or not he can be a long-term solution under center.
As stated previously, Darnold wasn’t helped by a plethora of drops and the offensive line gave up four more sacks. But these excuses don’t mask the inconsistencies the USC product displayed against the Minnesota Vikings and the two games prior to this one.
Next up for Darnold is a return to MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants. A contest that’s going to require a tremendous amount of resolve.