5 big talking points from Panthers’ loss at the Dolphins in Week 12

Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton had a bad game

I’m really stating the obvious here, but Cam Newton had probably his worst game for the Carolina Panthers in Week 12.

When he was relieved in the fourth quarter by P.J. Walker, who on his first series was sacked twice and then threw an interception, Newton ended the game 5-21 for 92 yards, two interceptions, with a passing rating of 5.8.

There’s no way to sugarcoat these statistics. This was a bad game for Newton and something I’m sure he’s aware of.

However, once again we saw an offensive unit that showed no cohesion. Against the heaviest blitzing defense in the league, the Panthers’ line reverted back to the unit that had failed to protect Sam Darnold earlier in the season. We also saw a return of Carolina deciding they needed to drop an abundance of easy catches.

Now as bad a game as this was for Newton, he’s been with the team for two weeks. This bye gives him the perfect opportunity to fully immerse himself in the playbook.

However, the calls from some areas of the media for Newton to be replaced after just three bad quarters is laughable. Where was this accountability for Darnold when he continued to underperform for weeks, not quarters?

It seems the media was rushing to make excuses for his poor play, blaming the offensive line or the receiving core.

It seems those excuses don’t extend to Newton, with one column even stating the signal-caller should retire after Sunday’s game.

Make of that what you will.