4 critical observations from Sam Darnold’s performance at the Bucs
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold’s effective first half
There was nothing spectacular about Sam Darnold’s first-half performance. But it was pretty effective in the grand scheme of things and definitely more good than bad.
Darnold looked in command of the offense and was careful with the football. Two things that have been seldom seen where the signal-caller is concerned throughout the campaign.
The Carolina Panthers were unable to score more than seven points after a fourth-down conversion on the goalline failed to gain the necessary yardage. However, Darnold used D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson well on occasions and got a little extra help from the offensive line over the opening two-quarters of play.
At least on the face of things, Darnold’s stats looked pretty solid overall:
- 14/19 passing (73.68%)
- 118 passing yards
- 1 TD
- 0 INTs
- 1 sack against
- 15 rushing yards (five carries)
- 106.9 passer rating (ESPN)
The Panthers went into the break down 10-7 after Tom Brady went 92 yards in eight plays to close the half with a touchdown. Not exactly ideal, but Darnold was far from Carolina’s biggest problem during the first half of action.