Panthers vs. Cardinals NFL spread, odds: PJ Walker favored as Carolina's Week 10 starting quarterback over regressing Sam Darnold

It's now evident that the Carolina Panthers made a big mistake on the eve of the 2021 NFL Draft when they sent a 2021 sixth-round pick, and second and fourth rounders in 2022 to the New York Jets for quarterback Sam Darnold. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft was a bust with the Jets and has proven to be a bust with sliding Carolina. Panthers coach Matt Rhule may have the opening he needs to start PJ Walker this week against Arizona because Darnold is dealing with an injured shoulder. The Panthers opened at +10 at the Cards.

It feels like light years ago that Carolina started 3-0 and Darnold looked like a legitimate quarterback as the team has one victory since. In Sunday's brutal 24-6 home loss to the Patriots, even the return of star running back Christian McCaffrey couldn't salvage Darnold as he was 16-for-33 for 172 yards and three picks – then again, the Patriots always had his number with the Jets, too – including one interception returned 88 yards for a touchdown.  

Darnold is now tied with Cincinnati's Joe Burrow for the league lead with 11 picks. Darnold is the +350 favorite to "win" the NFL interceptions title with Jets rookie Zach Wilson at +400, Washington's Taylor Heinicke at +600 and then Burrow at +650. Darnold has not thrown a TD pass or for more than 172 yards in three straight outings. He was benched during the fourth quarter of Carolina's 25-3 loss at the Giants for Walker a couple of weeks ago, but Rhule went right back to Darnold the next game.

Rhule was noncommittal on Darnold as the team's starter in Week 10 if he's healthy enough to play, and he may not be healthy enough as he was set for an MRI on his shoulder Monday. Darnold was questionable vs. the Pats with that right shoulder issue.

"In terms of where we are moving forward and all those things, we'll always try to do whatever it takes to be great. I'm not going to get into hypotheticals and all those things. I kind of handle things one bit at a time. See where Sam's health is, and then make the best decisions after that," Rhule said, adding that "the play at that position has to be better" and that he didn't think the shoulder problem had anything to do with the interceptions.

In the past five games, Darnold has completed only 83 of his 160 passes (51.9 percent) for 797 yards (4.98 yards per attempt) with two TDs, eight picks and taken 11 sacks. Carolina has scored four offensive touchdowns in that span, one of which started on the opponent's 18-yard line. Darnold has thrown 10 interceptions in the team's five losses overall. He's thrown two picks in their four wins.  

To make matters worse, the Panthers already picked up Darnold's 2022 contract option for $18.858 million.  Of course, it's too late for Carolina to trade for Deshaun Watson this year. The Panthers passed on a chance to take QBs Mac Jones or Justin Fields with the No. 8 pick in this year's draft. They chose South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn, who is out injured.

Walker was a brief XFL star who also played under Rhule at Temple and is 35-for-71 in his two NFL seasons for 401 yards, a TD and five picks. In his only start last season, a 20-0 win over Detroit, Walker had two interceptions in the red zone. Carolina also has QBs James Morgan and Josh Love (who?) on the practice squad. Cam Newton is available ... 

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Which QB starts Week 10 for Carolina?

• PJ Walker -180
• Sam Darnold +140

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