The Carolina Panthers endured a brutal loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, and their fans didn't shy away from voicing their displeasure with the team. Sam Darnold was the recipient of a series of boos from the home crowd on Sunday after he replaced Cam Newton at quarterback, and head coach Matt Rhule has since come to his defense. Per Joe Person, Rhule said he was impressed with how Darnold responded to the fans' criticism, and urged the fans to show “passion over apathy.”

Darnold did have a great response to being booed, connecting on a 63-yard pass with wide receiver Shi Smith. Darnold was subbed out for Newton for the following two plays, and the Panthers failed to find the end zone, settling for a field goal as the first half near the end of the first half.

Overall, Darnold had an afternoon to forget, completing just 15-of-32 pass attempts for 190 yards, failing to throw a touchdown but not recording an interception, either. Newton didn't fare much better, going 7-for-13 through the air for 67 yards and an interception. He also rushed five times for 42 yards in the 32-6 loss.

After the game, according to ESPN's David Newton, Rhule remained non-committal in regards to naming a starter for Week 17, admitting he was less than thrilled about playing two quarterbacks over the past few weeks — a decision he made entirely on his own.

The Panthers are slated to face the New Orleans Saints in Week 17, so fans will just have to wait and see who is under center for the rivalry matchup. Based on their reactions from Sunday's game, it doesn't seem like Darnold is the favorable pick in the eyes of the fanbase.