5 major factors to blame for Carolina Panthers’ loss vs. Bucs Week 16
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers two-QB system was a disaster
There was plenty of speculation before the game about just what the Carolina Panthers were planning with Cam Newton and Sam Darnold. Reports surfaced prior to the contest about the organization looking to make the USC product their starter once again over the final two games after making his return from injury, leaving the former NFL MVP out in the cold for a second time if this comes to fruition.
As it turned out, one bad throw from Newton that resulted in an interception was the only excuse Matt Rhule needed to throw Darnold into the mix. A decision that was not well received by the fans in attendance.
Darnold started pretty well with a scramble that saw a big gain to rookie Shi Smith. But this was swiftly followed by Rhule removing him from the lineup to halt this momentum in the blink of an eye.
The same pattern continued throughout the game, making it difficult for either Newton or Darnold to generate enough rhythm to make a significant difference. Just why Rhule is so insistent on using this dated and often unsuccessful method is unclear, but it is a situation the head coach brought on himself.
Rhule said he’d know more on Wednesday about who is going to start this weekend at the New Orleans Saints. But there is a high likelihood it will be Darnold, one would think.