4 mistakes Baker Mayfield cannot afford to make in Week 5 vs. 49ers

Baker Mayfield must not panic

Keeping a cool head when the likes of Nick Bosa are flying at you is easier said than done. However, it’s something Baker Mayfield must do if the Carolina Panthers are to stand any chance of beating the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5.

Mayfield cuts a calm figure away from the gridiron. Something that doesn’t always translate to his production when it matters most.

There is hesitancy from Mayfield in the pocket despite Carolina’s offensive line providing stable protection more often than not. This leads to the player creating his own pressure and something that won’t go unpunished if the same occurs again versus the Niners.

The spotlight is glaring on Mayfield. We are now over a month into the regular season and nothing is progressing as anticipated, which led to boos ringing around the stands against the Arizona Cardinals as the fanbase becomes increasingly frustrated.

What’s important for Mayfield is focusing on one play at a time. Relying on Christian McCaffrey on early downs would be beneficial, which could then lead to some manageable third-down situations for good measure.

Being composed, patient, and acting with conviction is absolutely essential for Mayfield in this one. Nothing else will do.