5 crucial observations from Sam Darnold’s performance at the Falcons

What were some crucial observations to take from Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold’s performance at the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8?

After another week of intense speculation surrounding his future, it was time for Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold to focus on the football side of things once again. Last weekend’s embarrassment and subsequent benching at the New York Giants needed a positive response, something the signal-caller hasn’t been able to accomplish throughout the team’s four-game losing run.

The Atlanta Falcons represented a solid chance for Darnold to put up some solid numbers. For all their talent on the offensive side of the ball, their secondary couldn’t be described as elite and they were conceding 250.5 yards per game through the air before this crucial NFC South divisional matchup.

Darnold is running out of chances to prove he is the man to lead the Panthers moving forward. Deshaun Watson trade talk dominated the lead-up to this game, with Carolina’s primary decision-makers having to call Christian McCaffrey on Friday evening to reassure the running back he wasn’t being offered to the Houston Texans.

There was a lot at stake for Darnold. Here are five major observations from the quarterback’s performance in Week 8.

Observation No. 1

Sam Darnold got off to a solid start

Things didn’t go according to plan when Chuba Hubbard fumbled the ball on the very first play. But Darnold settled everything down to lead the Panthers on an impressive drive immediately after.

Buoyed by Carolina restricting the Falcons to three points from strong field position, Darnold went almost perfect on the next series and almost had a touchdown had it not been for a highly debatable call regarding D.J. Moore’s catch in the end zone.

Carolina got plenty of assistance from the running game on this drive. However, Darnold made a couple of third-down throws to keep the chains moving and seemed in control of his emotions after a difficult week.