4 Carolina Panthers critical to improvements in Week 12 vs. Broncos
By Noah Bryce
Sam Darnold – Carolina Panthers QB
Well, better late than never right?
Sam Darnold is starting once again for the Carolina Panthers. Something that many, including myself, never thought they would see happen.
This season has been ugly for the Panthers – in many ways far worse than when Darnold was the full-time starter last year. At least back then a lot of games were competitive.
Finally out of viable options, the Panthers once again called upon the one-time savior of New York. The team needs to see just who they want to keep around next season to help bring along Matt Corral or some other young signal-caller they pick up in the draft.
The upcoming bye week is the perfect opportunity to do so. With Baker Mayfield clearly not that guy and the rest of the quarterbacks in the room injured, it’s Darnold’s last chance.
Darnold has to perform in this game, for himself and the Panthers. This is very likely the last time the young quarterback starts an NFL game if things go poorly and he knows this better than anyone.
Then again, just attempting to throw the ball downfield is better than what Mayfield has offered in recent weeks. Control the game, and take shots when they are there. It’s a simple recipe that Darnold has to follow.