The Panthers are caught in reverse with Sam Darnold, with no assist in sight this season – The Athletic

Hope was within the air Sunday morning at Financial institution of America Stadium. Clocks had been turned again an hour, the solar was shining and Christian McCaffrey was again for the Panthers.

The crew tried to keep up some secrecy round Sam Darnold’s standing, the subterfuge a wealthy subplot earlier than a sport in opposition to the Patriots, who invented the idea. However ultimately it became clear that Darnold would start, and that too appeared like factor.

However quickly sufficient, Invoice Belichick and New England’s ghosts arrived to break one other fall Sunday for Darnold. Followers in Carolina and New York — hell, throughout the NFL — had seen this act earlier than.

By the point it was over, Darnold had thrown three interceptions, Robby Anderson was throwing his helmet and cussing Darnold on the sideline and the Panthers had misplaced once more in dispiriting trend — 24-6 to Belichick and a rookie quarterback the Panthers handed over within the draft.

The Panthers fell to 4-5, whereas Darnold dropped to 0-4 in opposition to the Patriots. Along with his three interceptions Sunday, Darnold now has thrown 9 INTs, with just one landing, in opposition to New England.