Sam Darnold’s passer rating vs. Vikings is almost unbelievable as Panthers struggle

NOTE: For live updates of this game (the Panthers lost 34-28 in overtime), click here. Sam Darnold finished 17-of-41 passing with a passer rating of 55.6.

The Carolina Panthers’ offense is in a poor state.

Christian McCaffrey is on injured reserve, the offensive line is porous and Sam Darnold is not playing at a level that’s capable to push the Panthers to a victory.

Darnold, who had his worst game as a Panther last week in a home loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, hasn’t looked much better Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, trailing 12-10 at halftime.

He threw an interception on the game’s first play when he should have thrown the ball away and in the almost 30 minutes since, he hasn’t gotten much better. Darnold is 5-of-18 passing for 60 yards, no touchdowns and the pick. And his passer rating? 17.8 — which, in fairness, is better than the 0.0 it sat at midway through the second quarter.

To make matters worse, he hasn’t gotten much help from wide receiver Robby Anderson, who the Panthers awarded a three-year, $37.5 million contract extension to in August. Anderson has three drops in the first half (two that hit him squarely in the hands) that would have resulted in first downs. He has one reception for no yards on seven targets.

Running back Chuba Hubbard has also dropped a pass.

On the Panthers’ final drive of the first half, the Panthers tried to take back-to-back timeouts on third-and-10 from the Vikings’ 35, resulting in a delay of game. (You’re not allowed to call two timeouts without running a play.) The next play, they were called from holding and ended up with no points on the drive.

Carolina has 108 yards of total offense through two quarters. (The Vikings have 192.)

Carolina’s defense has kept the Panthers in the game, but the Panthers will need more from the offense if they’re going to snap their two-game losing streak.