4 former Carolina Panthers with plenty on the line in Week 13
By Dean Jones
Cam Newton – QB
Cam Newton is questionable for the New England Patriots as they enter do-or-die territory regarding their playoff hopes. Their dominance over the AFC East is officially over – at least for the 2020 season – thanks to the emergence of the Dolphins and Bills, so not having their No. 1 signal-caller available for a winnable game against the Los Angeles Chargers is going to be a blow they won’t recover from.
The Carolina Panthers parted ways with their iconic former quarterback in a situation that descended into a complete mess and left fans furious. Newton deserved better, of that there is little doubt. But it has fuelled the 2015 NFL MVP to prove his worth as a starter, even if the stats aren’t looking too healthy from a passing perspective.
However, Newton is much more than that.
Although the former No. 1 overall pick has thrown for just four touchdowns in 2020, he has nine scores on the ground and it is easy to forget Newton didn’t have much of an offseason in New England and also contracted COVID-19 at a time where he was generating some real momentum.
Hopefully, his abdomen injury won’t keep him out as there will be plenty of Carolina’s loyal fanbase tuning in to cheer him enduring their bye week.
Getting to the postseason – however unlikely it may be – would be a vindication of all Newton’s hard work to get himself back to health and would cast further doubt on the Panthers’ decision to get rid of him in the first place.