How can Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold exorcise the ghosts of MetLife Stadium when he takes on the New York Giants in Week 7?
Sam Darnold returns to the scene of the crime this weekend as the Carolina Panthers take on the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. A place that doesn’t hold the fondest memories for the quarterback from a torrid three years to start his professional career.
Darnold got another chance to prove it was the New York Jets‘ mismanagement rather than his talent that caused his demise. However, judging by what we’ve seen over the last two weeks, he’s simply not reaching the level expected after a promising start.
This might be who Darnold is. A player who needs a lot of help to succeed rather than putting a team on his back and making things happen.
However, that’s only going to get the Panthers so far and Sunday’s contest in familiar surroundings is already a make-or-break one for Darnold and his long-term aspirations under center.
Any further complications could see things past the point of no return.
The stakes could not be any higher for Darnold and the Panthers this weekend. New York is going through some major turmoil with injuries and dismal performances, so this is an incredibly good time to be playing them despite Carolina’s current form.
Without further ado, here are four ways that Darnold can exorcise his ghosts at MetLife Stadium in Week 7.
Sam Darnold must ignore outside noise
New York can be an intimidating place for any opposing quarterback. The fans are rowdy and not afraid to do everything in their power to give the team a better chance of achieving success.
This can also work in the opposite way if they feel that the players or coaching staff aren’t putting in the necessary effort. Sam Darnold has experienced this first-hand, but whether this can help him lead the Carolina Panthers to victory is another matter.
The Giants fanbase knows that Darnold gets rattled under pressure. Not only when pass-rushers are in his face on the field but also with added noise from the stands.
What’s important for Darnold is blocking things out and taking things one series at a time. There is no margin for error anymore and this added sense of urgency has to bring around improved consistency.
New York is struggling. If Darnold can’t get it done in Week 7 things could turn ugly in a hurry.
Darnold seems like a cool customer away from the gridiron. Even if the production doesn’t really match this demeanor when push comes to shove.
Remaining focused on the task at hand and ignoring everything going on around Darnold is a good place to start. But that’s just a minimum requirement, in all honesty.
Sam Darnold must be decisive on play-action calls
Matt Rhule stated following their loss to the Minnesota Vikings that he wants the Carolina Panthers to adopt a run-first mentality moving forward. Not exactly the biggest vote of confidence in Sam Darnold’s recent performances.
However, this could help the signal-caller even without Christian McCaffrey in the backfield.
Chuba Hubbard has done well over the last two games. Certainly, enough to suggest that he could be an every-down back in the future if his productivity in the passing game improves.
The Panthers also have Royce Freeman to call upon, which Carolina should use more rather than give Hubbard 30 touches a game.
If the Panthers go in this direction at the Giants, then Darnold has to make sure he is decisive when offensive coordinator Joe Brady calls some play-action to keep the defense honest.
Darnold needs to have courage, find the open receiver quickly and when things aren’t developing as expected, take off on the run or just throw the football away.
Forcing the issue isn’t going to do him any favors whatsoever.
Establishing the run is all well and good. But this will count for nothing if Darnold cannot also make a difference in what is a quarterback-driven league.
Sam Darnold must manage the game-clock better
Controlling the line of scrimmage is an essential hallmark of any good quarterback. An area where Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers are constantly coming up short.
This was more evident than ever against the Minnesota Vikings. Rarely did Darnold get the snap off without minimal time remaining on the clock, there were a couple of penalties for “delay of game”, and the player also tried to call consecutive timeouts – which isn’t permitted and something the USC product should be all-too-aware of in his fourth season.
A comedy of errors. And something that can be avoided.
Whether it’s Joe Brady not getting calls in quick enough or Darnold simply taking too much time to read the defense in front of him, improving this comes from being prepared for every eventuality.
These problems are a microcosm of the situational football frailties being displayed by the Panthers on a weekly basis. Opposing teams can smell this is a mile away and although the coaching staff also needs to be held accountable, Darnold must do his part to provide more assurances under center.
Moving to the hurry-up in the fourth quarter brought some improved production from Darnold. It also keeps the defense pretty basic which helps.
It would be a shock if the Panthers went away from this in Week 7. But this makes clock management from the quarterback even more important.
Sam Darnold must win
We’re getting to the stage now where it doesn’t matter how it comes. Sam Darnold must win.
Otherwise, things are going to get even more complicated.
It doesn’t have to be a virtuoso performance akin to what we’re seeing from the elite NFL quarterbacks. Just get the job done, make the right decisions, and provide a stable presence that everyone can feed off.
Easier said than done for a signal-caller with clear limitations. But not impossible by any stretch of the imagination.
The talent around Darnold needs to execute better. Dropping passes consistently for a second-straight week is only going to make matters worse.
The New York Giants are one of the league’s worst teams for a reason. Carolina has to take advantage of their current plight and get themselves back to winning ways.
Winning cures most things. And it might give Darnold enough confidence to improve from a personal standpoint heading into the midseason point.
Saying this and doing it are two different things. Confidence in Darnold is waning within the team’s fanbase and it won’t be much longer before his teammates start questioning whether he’s the right man for the job.