Panthers Fans Will Hate This Vegas Prediction for Sam Darnold
By Peter Dewey
There hasn’t been much to look forward to for the Carolina Panthers since their loss in Super Bowl 50 back in 2016, and they may want to temper expectations for this season as well.
Teddy Bridgewater is out and Sam Darnold is in at quarterback, but WynnBET doesn’t project the Panthers to have a big season in 2021. Carolina is expected to win under (-125) 7.5 games this season with the over at +105 odds. To make matters worse, Carolina is -340 on WynnBET to miss the playoffs.
While Panthers fans may not have expected the team to completely turn things around this year, they unfortunately aren’t going to see much improvement at quarterback either. According to WynnBET’s latest odds, Darnold is the favorite (along with Washington quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick) to lead the NFL in interceptions in the 2021 season at +750 odds.
It’s not surprising based on Darnold’s history, as he’s thrown 39 career picks in just 38 games. Still, the Panthers are looking to upgrade the position after giving up on Bridgewater after just one season at the helm.
Carolina will be boosted by the return of running back Christian McCaffrey after an injury-plagued 2020 season. It’s possible that CMC helps lighten the load on Darnold throwing the ball, but Vegas isn’t convinced.
This is a make or break season for Darnold, as he could have his fifth-year option picked up by Carolina for next season.
The University of Southern California product struggled mightily with the New York Jets under Adam Gase, but he could revive his career in an offense run by Joe Brady and Matt Rhule. The Panthers will only go as far as Darnold will take them, and based on the odds, Vegas expects that to be back in the basement of the NFC South.
Can Sam Darnold turn things around in Carolina? Download the WynnBET app in New Jersey, Indiana or Colorado and find out how to bet.