5 major talking points from Carolina Panthers defeat vs. the Vikings

Carolina Panthers’ receivers must step up

Now as under-par Sam Darnold was, he received little to no help from his receiving group on numerous occasions, with no fewer than eight drops during the contest. This is unacceptable.

D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson were the most guilty with six drops between them.

The play of Anderson is something that is of real concern. Off the back of a 1,000-yard season in 2020, the wideout was given a contract extension of almost $30 million over two years, and his performances so far have not warranted that deal.

Through six games, Anderson has 15 receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Not the production you expect from your WR2.

Of course, the blame doesn’t all fall entirely on Anderson. Darnold has not been targeting his former teammate enough culminating in an animated figure showing his frustration on the sidelines during the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Now Anderson can have no excuses following his Week 6 production. Darnold tried to find the former Temple star, targeting him 11 times but he managed just three receptions.

One could argue three or potentially four of those were drops. Anderson found it when it mattered collecting a ball in the back of the endzone to culminate the Carolina Panthers final drive.

However, Anderson must find a way to limit these drops moving forward. Another issue in the passing game is the hands of running back Chuba Hubbard.

The Panthers have been blessed in recent times with the way Christian McCaffrey has shone in the passing game. Unfortunately, this is something Hubbard has struggled with in his short NFL career.

With the weakness of Carolina’s offensive line, the check down to the running back is always going to be an option, so Hubbard needs to improve his catching.