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One stat that no one in the football world could have expected for four weeks is that Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold leads the league in rushing touchdowns.
His five floor scores put him ahead of Ezekiel Elliott and Derrick Henry, along with everyone else in the league. And while everyone has a sort of half-smile when discussing it (like “Are these people serious?”), Darnold’s athleticism adds an element of offense, especially in the red zone. .
“It was fun to be able to throw the ball like that,” said Darnold. “But at the same time, I have to get off, and not take those punches when I don’t have to. But it’s fun, to go out there and play football and be able to run a bit. It’s fun okay.
“I think it’s the product of all these really good players around me. All of those safeties, corners and linebackers, they have to commit to trying to stop all these guys around me, and sometimes a run quarterback opens, as if it was the last few weeks. “
Offensive coordinator Joe Brady was asked this week if he was going back to recording their joint practices with the Ravens to steal some Lamar Jackson coins for Darnold. He broke character and laughed, knowing Darnold might not be that kind of runner, but he’s efficient in his own way.
“You know what, nothing is ever excluded,” Brady said. “I think when you get into the red zone you have to find ways to be creative and find ways to make the eyes look in different ways, to change, to make communication mistakes in the red zone.
“I don’t think we’re necessarily about to throw the ball away like Lamar can. But it’s definitely something else a team needs to be prepared for, and he made the most of the opportunities. “
Darnold, as usual, played quietly when asked about his unusual statistical results. He laughed and told reporters he would let them rate his best rushing moves. But he likes being able to hand the ball over to right tackle Taylor Moton in the end zone, to allow him to finish the traditional celebration of the smash.
“It’s pretty much the same,” he replied when asked if he liked running more or going for scores. “I’ll say having the ball in my hand and handing it over to T-Mo for the smash is a feeling I usually don’t have.”
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