Panthers Remain 10-Point Underdogs To Cardinals in Week 10 After Darnold Replaced by PJ Walker
- The Panthers remain 10-point road underdogs to the Cardinals even though QB Sam Darnold will not play Sunday
- PJ Walker will start for Darnold, who has a broken bone in his right shoulder
- A look at the Panthers-Cardinals odds can be found below with analysis
The struggles of Sam Darnold can be summed up by this: News broke Tuesday that the Panthers quarterback won’t play Sunday because of a broken bone in his right shoulder yet the point spread did not move.
The Panthers opened the week as 10-point road underdogs for their game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The spread has not changed even after it was revealed PJ Walker will be Carolina’s QB1, though the total dropped one point to 44.5 and the Panthers went from +360 to +370 on the moneyline.
The Panthers (4-5) have lost five of their last six games after opening the season 3-0. The Cardinals (8-1) have the best record in the NFL.
Panthers vs Cardinals Odds
| Opening Odds | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers | +360 | +10 (-110) | Over 45.5 (-110) |
| Arizona Cardinals | -490 | -10 (-110) | Under 45.5 (-110) |
| Current Odds | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Carolina Panthers | +370 | -10 (-110) | Over 44.5 (-110) |
| Arizona Cardinals | -480 | -10 (-110) | Under 44.5 (-110) |
Current odds as of November 10th at DraftKings.
Darnold’s Season Goes South
Acquired from the New York Jets in the offseason, Darnold has completed just 59.1% of his passes for 1,986 yards with seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Darnold struggled mightily last Sunday in a 24-6 loss to the visiting New England Patriots. He connected on just 16 of 33 attempts for 172 yards while being intercepted three times.
That also included a spat between Darnold and wide receiver Robby Anderson.
📢📢Robby Anderson gave Sam Darnold an earful after his 3rd INT of the day.
Here is what Robby had to say after the game — he didn't mince words or pull punches about his quarterback or his passion for the game.#KeepPounding👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/UM5pLorzgG
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) November 8, 2021
The Panthers were hoping to make Darnold a reclamation project.
He washed out with the Jets as he compiled a 13-25 record in three seasons after being the third overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft from USC. Darnold had nearly as many interceptions (39) as touchdown passes (45) during his time in New York.
The trade looked decent for the first three weeks of the season. However, in the last six games, Darnold has a 54.7 completion percentage, 1,098 yards, four TDs and 10 picks.
Untested Walker Steps In
Walker has played in three games in relief of Darnold this season.
His most notable statistical markers are having three completions and three sacks. Not a good ratio. He is just 3 of 15 for 33 yards with no TDs or INTs.
He was a bit of a legend in the short-lived second incarnation of the XFL.
Is it PJ Walker time, Panthers? pic.twitter.com/ksAYIQCnPa
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 24, 2021
Walker won his only career NFL start last season as a rookie when he led the Panthers over the hapless Detroit Lions 20-0 in Week 11 at home. He was 24 of 34 for 258 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Walker gives Panthers coach Matt Rhule familiarity. Walker played collegiately at Temple when Ruhle was the Owls’ head coach.
Cardinals Have QB Questions, Too
It is not yet known whether Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray will play this week. He was sidelined by a sprained ankle last Sunday and backup Colt McCoy led Arizona to a 31-17 road victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
The win was just the ninth of McCoy’s 11-year career and first since 2014 with Washington. He was an efficient 22-of-26 passing for 249 yards and one touchdown without being picked off.
COLT MCCOY!
NFL on FOX
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 7, 2021
A standout performance by running back James Conner helped take pressure off McCoy. Conner had 173 total yards – 96 rushing and 77 receiving – and scored three touchdowns.
Murray, of course is one of the most dynamic players in the league. He is connecting on 72.7% of his passes in 2021 for 2,276 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven interceptions.
Panthers Provide No Value
Darnold’s injury didn’t move the needle on the spread. It seems if anything causes the line to shift it will be whether Murray plays.
The Cardinals didn’t decide to sit Murray last week until following pregame warmups. Considering they have yet to practice this week, it is too early to know what tact Arizona will take in handling him this week.
Yet as badly as the Panthers are playing, the Cardinals look like a good value at -10 even if it turns into a McCoy-Walker matchup.
John Perrotto has been covering and writing about sports for various outlets for over 40 years. His work has appeared in the likes of USA TODAY, ESPN.com, SI.com, Forbes.com, The Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and more. John is based out of Beaver Falls, PA.
