The Carolina Panthers have already been through Baker Mayfield and P.J. Walker at the starting quarterback position this season, and now Sam Darnold will get his shot.
Ahead of the Week 12 game against the Denver Broncos, it was announced that Darnold will be under center as the starting quarterback. The Panthers are a slight underdog in the matchup.
Broncos vs. Panthers Betting Odds: Sam Darnold Starting
Per DraftKings:
- Spread: Broncos -2 (-110), Panthers +2 (-110)
- Moneyline: Broncos -130, Panthers +110
- Total: Over 36 (-110), Under 36 (-110)
The line movements didn’t shift from where it opened, which isn’t a surprise given the failures Carolina’s had at quarterback before thrusting Sam Darnold into duty. In the Week 11 13-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Mayfield completed 21 of 33 passes for just 196 yards and two interceptions. He will backup Darnold this week.
Darnold started 11 games for the Panthers last season, and looked to be turning a corner in his career after coming out of the gates to a 3-0 start executing Matt Rhule’s offense. But the wheels fell apart quick. On the year, Darnold was 243 of 406 passing (59.9%), with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions for a 71.9 passer rating.
It hasn’t been any better when switching over to Mayfield in 2022. He is 119 of 206 (57.8%) with six touchdowns and six interceptions for a 74.4 rating.
Walker, an XFL standout, actually lit a fire in the Panthers and led them to a surprising 21-3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7.
Luckily for Darnold and the Panthers, they’ll be at home against a lowly 3-7 Broncos team that has never found it’s footing offensively despite all the excitement that came with acquiring Russell Wilson in the offseason.
In games with totals of 38 or fewer points the past three years, the under is 8-2 per Bet Labs.
