The Carolina Panthers are not a team that can afford to turn the ball over.
Their offense isn’t great. Their defense, while good, can’t carry the team for four quarters. That was evident in Sunday’s 21-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The Panthers committed three turnovers and had a punt blocked late in the fourth quarter.
The blocked punt, with four minutes left in the game, was the turning point for the Eagles. Philadelphia got the ball at the Carolina 27-yard line and scored four plays later on a six-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had been held in check until the final quarter.
The Panthers are now 3-2 and can’t afford another loss in what should be their easiest stretch of the regular season. Entering Sunday’s game, the Panthers’ opponents in Weeks 5-9 each had a 1-3 record.
But Carolina has a glaring problem: The offensive line stinks — and that’s putting it nicely. And if they can’t get it fixed, it could be the primary issue that keeps them from the playoffs.
Matt Rhule said it best after the Panthers’ 36-28 loss to the Cowboys last week: “Any time Sam (Darnold) has time, he’s going to make a lot of really good decisions. When he doesn’t have a lot of time, it’s not quite as good.”
That was clear Sunday against the Eagles. He was pressured all game. And when faced with that pressure, he often threw bad passes and made poor decisions.
He finished 21 of 37 for 177 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Darnold had played well before Sunday’s game, throwing for five touchdowns to three interceptions.
But his performance against the Eagles was similar to his time in New York — a lot of pressure and a lot of bad mistakes.
After trailing by three points with about two minutes left Sunday, Darnold had a chance to lead the Panthers on a game-winning touchdown drive. He threw a strike to Robby Anderson — a 25-yard pass up the middle — for a first down that got the Panthers to the Eagles’ 45-yard line.
But two plays later, he threw an interception while trying to force a pass to Anderson on a comeback route.
While that play was on Darnold, other mistakes can be attributed to the offensive line. Carolina’s line allowed eight quarterback pressures and gave up three sacks.
The offensive line alone was called for five penalties for 40 yards Sunday.
Deep plays have yet to materialize for players like Anderson. Darnold underthrew him on a deep play in the third quarter. And Anderson was visibly frustrated after the QB didn’t see him open on a corner route in the fourth quarter. DJ Moore put his arm around Anderson on the sideline, as if to assure him that those moments would come.
But Darnold didn’t have time to see him to make those moments happen Sunday. The Eagles’ pressure forced him to scramble out of the pocket.
The Panthers’ front office, with all 13 of their trades, still haven’t been able to acquire an offensive lineman. They’ve searched, but few teams are willing to part ways with players up front.
And there’s more that’s making matters worse. The Panthers are also dealing with injuries to their offensive line. Two of their offensive line starters — Cameron Erving and Pat Elflein — were out Sunday. And star tailback Christian McCaffrey was out again for the second consecutive game with a strained hamstring.
Chuba Hubbard played well in his absence. He had 101 yards rushing on 24 carries, but Darnold was just under too much pressure.
Darnold’s first interception came with 9:15 left in the first quarter, with the Panthers pinned at their own 6-yard line after a false start call on offensive lineman Taylor Moton. The Eagles got pressure up the middle, and Darnold threw a pass intended for DJ Moore into double coverage. The pass was picked off by Eagles cornerback Darius Slay.
His second interception was also by Slay, on a pass that was thrown behind Moore.
The Carolina offensive line is a problem. And if they can’t protect Darnold, the Panthers will remain in trouble.
Carolina Panthers 2021 schedule: upcoming games
— Oct. 17: vs. Minnesota, 1 p.m. (FOX)
— Oct. 24: at NY Giants, 1 p.m. (FOX)
— Oct. 31: at Atlanta, 1 p.m. (FOX)
— Nov. 7. vs. New England, 1 p.m. (CBS)
— Nov. 14. at Arizona, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
— Nov. 21: vs. Washington, 1 p.m. (FOX)
— Nov. 28: at Miami, 1 p.m. (FOX)
— Dec. 12: vs Atlanta, 1 p.m. (FOX)
— Dec. 18/19: at Buffalo, kickoff TDB (TV TBD)
— Dec. 26: vs Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. (FOX)
— Jan. 2: at New Orleans, 1 p.m. (FOX)
— Jan. 9: at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. (FOX)
