Carolina Panthers (4-8) – Denver Broncos (3-8): 23-10
It was a bit written. So written that it becomes depressing. When the Panthers reached 17 points in the middle of the third quarter on a touchdown from Sam Darnold (11/19, 164 yards, 1 TD), it was obvious that Denver could not come back. Because this offense has exceeded 17 points only twice this season. But above all because this attack is catastrophic.
And when Denver finally scored with a constructed offense, it was too late. With just over 3 minutes left, they even covered their onside kick. But they immediately fell back into their sleep, with four incomplete passes in a row.
Wilson and his offense gained only 246 yards. But if we remove their touchdown, it’s only 169 yards on 13 offensive possessions!
The ground game even responded with 121 yards gained and an average of 6.4 yards per carry. But Russell Wilson (19/35, 142 yards, 1 TD) and his receivers still can’t do it. Yes, there were the absences of Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler. But Courtland Sutton (6 rec, 75 yards) was there.
Sam Darnold superstar
Always sadder for Wilson, Sam Darnold almost looked like a more dynamic quarterback. After two punts on each side to open the match, Darnold found DJ Moore (4 rec, 103 yards, 1 TD= for the opener at the end of the first quarter. He then led his attack to a field goal for lead 10-3 at the break.
Upon returning from the locker room, the quarterback runs there, releases the ball, lands on it and rolls into the end zone. Too bad for the style, it’s touchdown and 17-3! The gap is therefore decisive, especially as Carolina adds two kicks to break away 23-3. A more than honorable performance against one of the best defenses in the league.
Neither of these two teams will go far in attack. For Carolina it was more or less expected. For the Broncos, this season looks like a long depression.
