Cam Newton: What His Week 2 Performance Means for the Rest of His Season

It was another disappointing loss for Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers. Most would say Carolina was lucky to keep it to seven points against the reigning NFL champion Green Bay Packers, but for those of us that watched the game we know better.

The Panthers were expected to be everyone’s fantasy team in that everyone who had a Packers player would be looking at a nice payday. The game was anything but as the Panthers came out firing using Newton as their weapon of choice.

Newton gave the Packers all they could handle as he torched the Green Bay defense for 432 yards passing and even had 53 yards rushing. Unfortunately, Newton’s three interceptions put a huge dark spot on the day for Newton. Luckily for Newton and the Panthers, the interceptions only amounted to six points.

The problem with the interceptions was not that they happened, but how they happened. Newton overthrew Legedu Naanee and the defensive back made a nice diving catch. The first came when he opted to not throw to an open Greg Olsen but to Steve Smith who was double covered and being hounded by Charles Woodson. The other interception came as he was being pressured and Newton threw off his back foot to Smith, but the pass was again intercepted by Woodson.

Newton overthrew too many receivers like he did against Arizona. He even overthrew the 6'5" Olsen. The other problem is that he is focusing too much on Smith. I understand he is the most reliable receiver—minus the fumble he had—but Brandon LaFell is a good target too.

Overall, Newton had another standout game. He checked down to his running backs as evidence by Jonathan Stewart’s 100 yards receiving. He went through his progressions, found Smith for 156 yards and once again the tight ends were a huge help with a combined 90 yards receiving.

This all bodes well for the rest of the Panthers’ season. Newton’s play against the defending champs will definitely give him a boost. He plays a struggling Jacksonville Jaguars team in his next game, which could be his first NFL victory. Plus, soon opposing defenses will start playing Newton and not the running game, taking pressure off his shoulders and onto Double Trouble.

As long as Newton keeps learning the game and stops throwing like everyone should be 6’8”, it will be happy times in Carolina.

One word of caution, though, as Newton progresses. I understand he is a rookie with a rookie coach, but the Packers game was very winnable. The glaring flaw is that Newton’s 400-plus passing yards are not leading to touchdowns. Instead of 13-0, the Panthers needed to be up 21-0.

If the Panthers do not start putting the ball in the end zone when they have 1st-and-goal from the 8- or 3-yard line, then Newton can throw for 1,000 yards and it will not make any difference in the final score.

Newton is showing why he deserves to be the first overall pick, but it is when he turns field goals into touchdowns that will make the Panthers one of the most dangerous teams in the league.