Darnold, Anderson downplay sideline outburst in 3-INT day

Sam Darnold and Robby Anderson insisted Sunday they're on good terms after Anderson gave the Carolina Panthers quarterback an earful for throwing three interceptions to the New England Patriots.

"I'm fully aware I didn't play my best football today," Darnold said after the Panthers fell 24-6, according to Grace Remington of FOX 46 Charlotte. "You want your teammates to be able to say, 'Let's go. Let's tighten up. Let's put some points on the board.' So, it's nothing more than that. We're cool."

Anderson threw his helmet in frustration and shouted at Darnold, who appeared to be unfazed, after the signal-caller threw an interception in three straight second-half possessions. J.C. Jackson corralled two of the three picks and returned one for an 88-yard touchdown.

"It was pretty much, 'Tighten up a little bit,'" Anderson said when asked what he told Darnold. "Same way if I'm slacking … we hold each other accountable."

The Panthers benched Darnold in a Week 7 loss to the New York Giants but allowed him to play out their 24-6 defeat to the Patriots. The 24-year-old has posted a passer rating below 70 since Week 4.

Carolina head coach Matt Rhule said he saw the outburst but didn't want "to make anything of that."

"Robby was frustrated because we just had our third interception," Rhule said. "We all were."

Anderson has appeared irritated at various points this season. He had only one catch for two yards against New England, and his production is down significantly compared to his 1,096-yard campaign in 2020.