Panthers-Patriots live updates: Sam Darnold throws three interceptions in Carolina loss
READ MORE
Patriots at Panthers
Expanded coverage of Carolina’s Week 9 NFL game.
Expand All
It’s not the Cam Newton revenge game.
At the time the NFL scheduled the Panthers and Patriots to play today — their first meeting since the 2019 preseason when Newton was injured at Gillette Stadium, signaling the beginning of the end of his time in Carolina — he was New England’s starter. It was meant to be his first time playing in Charlotte not wearing a Panthers uniform.
But in April, the Patriots drafted Mac Jones from Alabama and later cut Newton in August. Instead of a marquee midseason game, it’s a matchup between two 4-4 teams trying to remain in the wild-card conversation.
The Charlotte Observer has eight journalists at Bank of America Stadium for today’s Patriots-Panthers game, including beat reporters Ellis Williams and Jonathan M. Alexander and columnists Scott Fowler and Luke DeCock. Follow along here for live updates throughout the day (refresh the page for the latest) and stay on CharlotteObserver.com after the game for expanded coverage.
Live updates from this game have concluded. For a game recap and analysis, click here.
What’s the Patriots vs Panthers score?
Patriots missed FG
Nick Folk attempted a 54-yard field goal from the 44-yard line after an offside penalty to Carolina moved the ball close enough for a try. The Pats had been lined up to punt.
Sam Darnold’s third INT gives New England the ball back
The Panthers once again drove into the red zone, and — stop us if you’ve heard this before — Sam Darnold threw an interception. This time, he was targeting a receiver in the left corner of the end zone and JC Jackson tracked the ball down for his second pick of the afternoon, doubling up former teammate Stephon Gilmore, who had an interception of his own earlier for the Panthers.
DJ Moore slow to get up after big hit
The Panthers lost WR DJ Moore briefly to a hard hit after a completion from Darnold on the left side on a first-and-20. Moore stayed down and was helped off the field, and did not play again in the third quarter, but he was on the sideline with his helmet on.
Nick Folk 37-yard FG adds to Patriots lead
The Patriots didn’t convert another Sam Darnold into a touchdown, but they still earned points when Nick Folk split the uprights from 37 yards out to push the New England cushion to three scores.
Sam Darnold intercepted. Again.
Six plays after giving up a pick-6, and after moving the Panthers back to midfield, Sam Darnold was again intercepted, this time by linebacker Jamie Collins. Collins was in tight to the line, jumped at a low Darnold pass and came down with the ball. It was the fifth time a pass from Darnold was either batted, tipped or picked off by the front seven.
Sam Darnold picked off; JC Jackson returns for a TD
The Panthers’ second drive of the second half showed promise. They earned three first downs in a row, including a 33-yard play from Darnold to Chuba Hubbard. But on a second-and-10 from the New England 20, Darnold rolled left and floated a pass into the flat. It wobbled into the hands of Patriots DB JC Jackson, who corraled the ball at the 12 and returned it 88 yards for the third New England TD of the afternoon.
Patriots respond with a touchdown
Nick Folk booted the point after cleanly to put the Patriots ahead, 7-3, after a couple of big plays allowed New England to march 75 yards on eight plays. Key on the drive was a 41-yard swing pass from Mac Jones to Rhamondre Stevenson on the right side. He shook a couple of defenders and rumbled deep into Carolina territory. The Patriots fed the Panthers a steady diet of Stevenson and fellow RB Damien Harris. It was Harris who punched in the TD from the 3.
Panthers strike first on Zane Gonzalez FG, lead 3-0
The Panthers picked up just one first down with premium field position, but put the first points of the day on the board when Zane Gonzalez booted a 39-yard field goal through the uprights. Tha Carolina scoring drive covered 12 yards over seven plays and took 3:23 off the clock.
Brian Burns sacks Mac Jones, forces fumble, injured on the play
On 3rd and 5 from the Carolina 48, Mac Jones dropped back to pass and as he pumped a second time, Brian Burns blindsided him from behind. The ball popped out and the Panthers jumped on the loose ball, ultimately gaining control for a first-and-10 at the Pats 33.
Burns stayed down on the turf and was then helped off by the team training staff.
Update on Burns: He returned to the sideline, and after sitting a few plays, ultimately returned to the game.
Penalties derail Panthers’ second drive
After earning their first first down of the game, a false start followed by an intentional grounding penalty on a fumbled snap by Darnold forced the Panthers all the way back to their 5. Two plays later, Lachlan Edwards lofted a punt to the Pats 30, where Gunner Olszewski returned it to the 47.
Panthers’ Paradis injured on opening series
On the second play from scrimmage for Carolina — a second consecutive Christian McCaffrey run — center Matt Paradis went down in a heap. He stayed down for a while, and was ultimately helped off by a pair of coaches, but was not putting any weight on his left leg. Sam Tecklenburg is the backup center.
On the ensuing play, Sam Darnold’s pass was tipped at the line and fell incomplete, forcing a 3-and-out.
An update on the injury: Paradis is out for the game
Panthers defense holds
The Patriots earned one first down, and nearly overcame a pair of costly penalties, but the Carolina defense forced New England into a punting situation on its first series. Jake Bailey’s punt sailed into the end zone, and the Panthers started their first drive from the 20.
Christian McCaffrey returns
A roar from the crowd as the Panthers’ MVP was introduced as a captain and trotted to midfield for the coin toss (the result of which was that the Patriots received to start the game).
Weather update
While it may have felt like New England brought its colder weather with it this week in advance of today’s game, spectators can’t complain about conditions for the game: Mid-60s and bright sunshine here at Bank of America Stadium as the players take the field, a slight breeze blowing north to south.
Uniform update
The Panthers are wearing black tops with white pants and black socks. The Patriots are wearing their road white tops with blue pants.
Sam Darnold latest
When the Panthers announced their inactive Sunday morning, they said Sam Darnold is expected to start at quarterback. PJ Walker will be the backup, assuming coach Matt Rhule doesn’t make a last-minute change.
Who’s inactive for the Panthers?
Panthers: WR Shi Smith, CB CJ Henderson, CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, RB Royce Freeman, LB Kamal Martin, G Pat Elflein, DT Phil Hoskins.
Who are the Panthers starting at quarterback?
Sam Darnold will be a game-time decision on whether he starts at quarterback against the Patriots this afternoon. Darnold suffered a concussion last week late in Carolina’s win at the Atlanta Falcons on a scramble to pick up a first down.
If Darnold cannot play, PJ Walker will start in his place.
We’ll keep you posted here for when the team settles on a QB for the day.
Christian McCaffrey may play today for Panthers
The Panthers added star running back Christian McCaffrey to the 53-man roster, making him eligible to play today for the first time since going on injured reserve. He has been out of action since early in the Week 3 game against the Houston Texans.
What channel is the Panthers-Patriots game on?
Today’s 1 p.m. kickoff between the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots will be televised on CBS — that means WBTV Channel 3 if you live in Charlotte.
WBTV is available locally via Spectrum cable or DirecTV or streaming on YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV or Sling. Fans not in the Carolinas or New England can watch the game with a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket. A broadcast map by 506Sports.com can be found below.
This story was originally published November 7, 2021 at 9:33 AM with the headline "Panthers-Patriots live updates: Sam Darnold throws three interceptions in Carolina loss."
.JPG)
.JPG)
