NFL Predictions Week 5: Cam Newton Will Keep Rolling vs New Orleans Saints

It's only been four games, but it's already apparent that the Carolina Panthers knew what they were doing when they drafted Cam Newton with the No. 1 overall pick back in April. Most of us thought he was going to be bust, but he's been anything but.

Newton's numbers tell the story pretty well. He's passed for well over 1,300 yards, and he has a grand total of nine touchdowns to his name. The playmaking ability he showed in his magical 2010 season at Auburn has translated quite well to the pros.

The only thing that Newton hasn't done that much is win, and odds are that's not going to change this weekend with the New Orleans Saints coming to town. Newton is very good, but the team around him is not. Against a team like the Saints, they have their work cut out for them.

Luckily for the Panthers, Newton should keep rolling right along. He's passed for at least 370 yards in three of his first four games, and the Saints offer an opportunity to add to his already impressive stats.

The reason for this is because nobody ever accused the Saints of having a top-shelf pass defense. Their numbers against the pass are okay, but they can thank Jay Cutler and Blaine Gabbert for that. Cutler completed just 19-of-45 passes against the Saints in Week 2, and Gabbert managed just 196 yards against them in Week 4.

Aaron Rodgers and Matt Schaub fared much better against the Saints, as Rodgers beat them for 312 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1 and Schaub beat them for 373 yards and three touchdowns in Week 3.

If there is a trend here, it's a simple one: bad quarterbacks can't beat the Saints, and good quarterbacks can.

Until further notice, Newton belongs in the latter category. He may not be as cerebral as the Breeses, Tom Bradys and Peyton Mannings of the world, but Newton can play. If he doesn't beat you through the air, he'll beat you on the ground. So far this year, the only thing that has been powerful enough to sop him was the monsoon that occurred in Charlotte in Week 3.

Unless the Saints are planning on bringing a monsoon with them to Carolina, they're not going to stop Newton. The best they can hope for is that they will be able to limit him, which is really all they need to do given the high-scoring capabilities of Brees and the Saints' offense.

When all is said and done, my guess is that the Saints will come away with a victory. My other guess is that Newton won't make it easy for them. As a result, his legend will grow.

Projection: 350 yards passing, two passing TDs, one rushing TD.