4 critical observations from Sam Darnold’s performance at the Saints

Sam Darnold in the clutch

One of the primary reasons why the Carolina Panthers got rid of Teddy Bridgewater was his failure to come through in clutch situations. Sam Darnold hasn’t fared much better, but he had a shot to get his team to a tie on the final drive of the contest down eight points.

Sadly for Darnold, the fairytale ending did not occur.

The quarterback was under duress constantly from a porous offensive line that continues to be a complete abomination. Darnold almost threw a pick just before he eventually gave one away with a rash decision in panic mode that sealed an important victory for the New Orleans Saints and move the Panthers to 5-11.

This was a microcosm of the way things have transpired this season. The defense did their utmost to keep them in the game but when it’s all said and done, this offense is nowhere near capable of living up to their end of the bargain.

Darnold is not the answer. But in all honesty, nobody expected him to be in this game.

The problems in Carolina run much deeper than the quarterback. Although by now, everyone is fully aware of that, too.

Darnold will be under center for their season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, one suspects. What comes after that is anybody’s guess.