4 critical observations from the Panthers’ defeat at Bucs in Week 17

Critical turnovers cost the Carolina Panthers

A huge aspect of the success Sam Darnold had during his four starts this season was the fact he’d not turned the ball over once. Unfortunately on Sunday, we saw a pair of fumbles and an interception in what was the Carolina Panthers’ biggest game of the campaign.

It’s fair to argue that only one turnover could be leveled at Darnold. His interception on an underthrown ball to Stephen Sullivan was his fault. As for the two fumbles, the blame is less clear.

The first fumble came with some miscommunication with center Bradley Bozeman, who snapped the ball seemingly when Darnold was not ready. It happens from time to time, even if the timing couldn’t have been much worse.

However, Darnold should have made the safe play and fallen on the ball as opposed to attempting to scoop it up and save the play. For the second, no blame can be leveled at the quarterback.

After a questionable penalty pushed the Panthers back inside their own 10, rookie Ikem Ekwonu was completely beaten off the edge, leaving Darnold completely blindsided. And the rest is history.

Despite the turnovers, Darnold on the whole performed well. But it’s hard to ignore that in the biggest game of the Panthers’ season, these three turnovers had a leading say in the overall outcome.