5 plays that show the Panthers aren’t putting Sam Darnold in the best position to win

Panthers coach Matt Rhule ended the Cam Newton 2.0 experience when he named Sam Darnold his starting quarterback ahead of Sunday’s game against the Saints. On Monday, Rhule told reporters that he thinks the plan at quarterback will remain the same in Week 18.

Darnold will play the majority (if not all) the snaps in the Panthers’ season finale at Tampa Bay. From a long-term standpoint, starting Darnold makes sense. He’s the only quarterback under contract next season. Carolina must file as much game film on him as possible to evaluate their best decision going forward.

What did Darnold show Rhule and the Panthers’ front office in a 18-10 loss to the Saints? In short, much of the same. Darnold started in rhythm, completing his first nine passes for 88 yards on his first two drives but finished 8 of 18 for 44 yards on the remaining seven series.

When Darnold knows exactly where the ball must go and is protected well then he can play efficiently. As soon as his pocket collapses or his first read isn’t available, his sloppy decision-making and mechanics show up.

Let’s review several plays that highlight why Darnold keeps making the same mistakes and how the Panthers must change next season.

Fast start

Like they did against Tampa Bay, the Panthers’ opening drive started fast. Interim-play caller Jeff Nixon scripted four consecutive Darnold completions by throwing quick and moving the pocket.

The play below is Darnold’s third completion. It followed a 6-yard completion to D.J. Moore and a successful 17-yard screen pass from running back Ameer Abdullah. The Panthers lined up in a balanced two-by-two set before motioning Moore across the formation. The offensive line zone blocked left while Darnold faked a handoff.

With the Saints’ defense flowing left, Darnold booted right and hit tight end Ian Thomas for a 21-yard completion. It was his longest pass of the game.

It’s unclear why Nixon doesn’t rely more on play-action to help Darnold. On Sunday, he completed all seven of his play-action tries for 81 yards. His time to throw was a comfortable 3.2 seconds, and he notched a healthy 11 yards per attempt. Yet, Nixon only used play-action on 26% of his dropbacks.

Use more play action

Rhule said the Panthers’ play-calling changed after New Orleans’ safety P.J. Williams forced a strip-sack, which led to three Saints points early in the second quarter.

Heavy blitzing forced Carolina to call quick-timing routes, much like it has all year. This next sequence shows back-to-back plays where the Panthers need an intermediate completion but cannot execute because of all the routes run are short.

The Saints know Darnold wants the ball out quickly and therefore sit on every underneath route with no fear of getting beat deep.

A counter to this would be placing Darnold under center more and leaning on play-action throws. The Panthers have little reason to be a shotgun, spread team. Widening a defense limits protection options and puts additional pressure on a quarterback to consistently make accurate pre-snap reads.

Though Rhule fired former offensive coordinator Joe Brady weeks ago, the Panthers are still running his offense and shouldn’t be.

Here is another example of why the Panthers should be a heavy under center, play-action team. Late in the third quarter, the Panthers hit their first explosive play since the first quarter. Darnold took the snap, faked a fullback lead run to Abdullah and set up to throw at about seven yards depth.

Notice how the fake pulls multiple Saints linebackers up near the line of scrimmage. Since New Orleans is sitting in a two-high safety shell, Moore patiently sunk behind the linebackers and opened downfield. Since it’s his first read, Darnold delivered a strike and Moore gained 20 yards.

Protection issues continue

The Saints sacked Darnold seven times. It was the second week in a row the Panthers allowed seven sacks. Only the Ravens, Bears and Bengals have allowed more sacks this season than Carolina. Guards John Miller and Michael Jordan played poorly. According to Pro Football Focus, the Panthers’ interior offensive line graded out miserably. Jordan scored a 39.8, Miller a 50.9 and center Pat Elfein a 50.4.

Saints defensive end Cam Jordan easily beat Miller one-on-one during the final drive, which essentially ended the game. Also, there were moments when Darnold did not account for a free blitzer, resulting in either a sack or poor throws.

Here, Darnold failed to step into a throw intended for Moore across the middle. It should’ve been a first down, which would’ve moved Carolina into automatic field-goal range.

Moore is the No. 2 receiver to Darnold’s left. At the snap, tight end Ian Thomas tripped on Williams when he should’ve at least chipped him. Without that extra half second, Darnold felt pressure and side armed a ball behind Moore, who had Saints linebacker Kwon Alexander beat.

Carolina missed a 47-yard go-ahead field-goal try two plays later.

Then on the Panthers’ final drive, Darnold didn’t notice another defensive back blitz on first down. There isn’t much to break down here. The offensive line slid right and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson came free off the left edge. Darnold didn’t see him and was quickly sacked, putting Carolina nine yards behind the sticks.

Many of the same problems keep crushing the Panthers during their six-game losing streak. On Monday, Rhule said Carolina must make a “true investment” in the offensive line this offseason.

What we learned

No Panthers fan wants to hear that Darnold is their starting quarterback next season. Even if he remains on the roster, Carolina should bring in competition via either the draft or free agency. But the Panthers’ issues don’t fall solely on Darnold, just as this ugly offense wasn’t Newton’s fault either.

Carolina is running the wrong style of offense. The Panthers should be under center and rely heavily on play-action. Whomever Rhule hires as his offensive coordinator next season should seriously consider a Kyle Shanahan, Matt Lafleur or Kevin Stefanski scheme.

There is good news. Tackles Taylor Moton and rookie Brady Christensen graded above 70, according to PFF. The Panthers should be set on the outside. Bring in a talented offensive mind, rebuild the interior line and whoever plays quarterback will be properly supported.

This story was originally published January 3, 2022 at 6:38 PM.

Ellis L. Williams

The Charlotte Observer

Hailing from Minnesota, Ellis L. Williams joined the Observer in October 2021 to cover the Carolina Panthers. Prior, he spent two years reporting on the Browns for Cleveland.com/the Plain Dealer. Having escaped cold winters, he’s thrilled to consume football, hoops, music and movies within the Queen City.