4 major observations from Sam Darnold’s catastrophe at the Giants
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold’s disastrous first half
If Sam Darnold wanted to make a statement and finally get his season back on track, then the first half was nothing short of a disaster. The quarterback was shaky at best outside two or three solid throws, which didn’t do much to reignite the Carolina Panthers following a poor run of form.
Darnold’s confidence just isn’t where it needs to be right now. And it’s impacting everyone on offense from the line, to the receivers, to the way offensive coordinator Joe Brady is calling plays.
The one solace for Darnold even ended badly. When the signal-caller finally drove the Panthers downfield, an inexcusable throw into the hands of ex-Carolina cornerback James Bradberry halted this fleeting momentum in the blink of an eye.
Darnold’s first-half stats told their own story.
- 63.15 percent completion
- 85 yards passing
- 0 touchdowns
- 1 interception
- 1 sack against
- 51.4 passer rating (ESPN)
The knives were well and truly out for Darnold on social media throughout the first half, which was as disjointed as we’ve seen from the Panthers during the 2021 season.
And that’s saying something.