Carolina Panthers: Game-by-Game Predictions for Cam Newton's Next 15 Games

Cam Newton performed better than most people, including the Carolina Panthers' front office, could have hoped in his first career NFL start. Newton completed 65 percent of his passes for 422 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-21 loss.

Winning is not as important for the Panthers this season as it will be in the future, and seeing Newton live up to the college hype was way more important than a Week 1 win. His 11.4 yards per attempt was fantastic (8.7 led the league in 2010) but was matched by Arizona's Kevin Kolb, and that's why Carolina couldn't pick up the win.

There were a myriad of opinions about Newton leading up to the draft, and the good news for the Panthers is that they are all meaningless now. He's the new franchise quarterback, and while he won't play that well every time out, he got off to a good start.

Since it's clear that Newton will be under center for every game left on the schedule (health willing), here are game-by-game predictions for the rookie's remaining starts.

Week 2 vs. Green Bay

Clay Matthews will lead a Green Bay Packers' pass rush that sacked Drew Brees three times in the season opener. Steve Smith won't find nearly as much free space against Charles Woodson as he did in Week 1.

The Packers are just a much better all-around defense than the Arizona Cardinals and will bring Newton back down to Earth.

Prediction: 16-of-28, 210 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions (30 yards rushing)

Week 3 vs. Jacksonville

Jacksonville's pass defense can be beat, but the Jaguars tend to use a ball control offense and limit the offensive possessions in the game. That means Newton will have to do more with less snaps, and situations like that usually lead to mistakes from young quarterbacks.

Prediction: 15-of-25, 185 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions (25 yards rushing)

Week 4 at Chicago

Going up against the Chicago Bears' defense is always a good test for a quarterback—just ask Matt Ryan, who couldn't find the end zone in Week 1.

Newton will be able to do some things with his legs that will cause some problems, but the aerial attack will be neutralized.

Prediction: 18-of-32, 215 yards, no touchdowns and one interception (45 yards, TD rushing)

Week 5 vs. New Orleans

The New Orleans Saints ranked near the top of the league against the pass last season despite a lack of big names in the secondary.

Although Aaron Rodgers lit them up in Week 1, Newton won't be as successful. That said, he'll have his best game since the opener with Carolina playing from behind.

Prediction: 22-of-38, 285 yards, two touchdowns and one interception (35 yards rushing)

Week 6 at Atlanta

Jay Cutler had no problem carving up an Atlanta Falcons defense that was boom or bust last season. They allowed 23 touchdowns but also intercepted 22 passes in 2010.

Look for Newton to take attack Dunta Robinson.

Prediction: 21-of-32, 250 yards, one touchdown and one interception (15 yards, TD rushing)

Week 7 vs. Washington

DeAngelo Hall allowed the most yards and touchdowns of any cornerback last season and might provide Steve Smith with his next huge performance.

The Redskins have a good pass rush, but Newton should be able to avoid it using his legs and put up some nice numbers.

Prediction: 19-of-35, 285 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions (20 yards rushing)

Week 8 vs. Minnesota

It took awhile for Philip Rivers to find his rhythm against the Minnesota Vikings secondary, but once he did, he was able to pick it apart pretty easily in the second half.

Newton is no Rivers and won't pass nearly as much, so his numbers will be average.

Prediction: 18-of-30, 210 yards, one touchdown and one interception (15 yards rushing)

Week 10 vs. Tennessee

Luke McCown, who is probably the worst starting quarterback in the NFL, completed 71 percent of his passes against the Titans defense.

Coming off a much needed bye week right around when the college players usually hit a wall, Newton will have a big performance.

Prediction: 25-of-37, 310 yards, three touchdowns and one interception (18 yards rushing)

Week 11 at Detroit

While the Detroit Lions are a team on the rise, their pass defense was a question mark coming into the season. They were able to contain Josh Freeman in Week 1, but it will take more than one solid week before the unit can be proclaimed playoff-ready.

Prediction: 15-of-26, 180 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions (35 yards, TD rushing)

Week 12 at Indianapolis

Newton's numbers in this game will have a lot to do with whether or not Peyton Manning has returned by this point.

If Manning is back, this could become a shootout with Newton putting up big numbers. However, the Colts might just shut Manning down, meaning the Panthers will just run it down the Colts' throats.

Prediction: 21-of-27, 195 yards, no touchdowns and one interception (42 yards, two TDs rushing)

Week 13 at Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay wasn't able to slow down Matthew Stafford in Week 1 after being one of the better teams against the pass last season.

The Panthers receiving corps doesn’t have the same size as the Lions, and that was one of the main weapons they used against the Bucs, so Newton won't be as productive as Stafford.

Prediction: 19-of-31, 220 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions (53 yards rushing)

Week 14 vs. Atlanta

Newton starts his second trip through the division with a home game against the Falcons.

He hasn't had a complete clunker yet, and just like seeing a pitcher a second or third time through the batting order, Atlanta will be ready for Newton in this game.

Prediction: 14-of-34, 170 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions (17 yards rushing)

Week 15 at Houston

Lost in the destruction of the Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts was the fact that, when he wasn't fumbling the ball away, Kerry Collins had some success against the revamped Texans secondary.

Although they should be improved over the last few seasons, they still aren't an elite group.

Prediction: 18-of-33, 230 yards, two touchdowns and one interception (28 yards, TD rushing)

Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay

Newton finishes the season against two division opponents seeing him for the second time during a part of the season where rookies are usually running on empty.

He didn't have a great start in their first match-up, and it won't get any better here.

Prediction: 14-of-30, 165 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions (30 yards rushing)

Week 17 at New Orleans

A very tough ask for Newton, especially if the Saints need this game in any way, shape or form for playoff reasons.

He's had a solid rookie season, but there's a good chance he might end with two games he'd rather forget.

Prediction: 13-of-27, 150 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions (45 yards rushing)

Season Totals

Passing:

292-of-502 (58%)

3,582 yards

21 touchdowns

18 interceptions

Rushing:

473 yards

7 touchdowns

Record: 4-12