4 crucial matchups that will decide Panthers vs. the Falcons in Week 14
By Noah Bryce
Cam Newton vs. Matt Ryan
This matchup was front-page news just six years ago but now has significantly less headline potential as both star quarterbacks have begun to show their age as the teams around them struggle.
Matt Ryan has only 16 touchdowns to go with 11 interceptions on the year while Cam Newton is coming off one of the worst outings by a quarterback this season at the Miami Dolphins before the bye.
With that said, no matter how bad the team or the individual was playing that year, Newton and Ryan always brought the best out of one another with some truly spectacular performances and late-game heroics.
Something about that matchup always made for an explosive offense. Even in the Thieves Avenue days where the Carolina Panthers are concerned.
Both Ryan and Newton are sure to be remembering those better days and will be eager to prove they still have a little bit left of what made those games so exciting. Neither quarterback is the same player, the offenses won’t be as explosive, but this will still be a joy to watch as the nostalgia will be palpable from the word go.
Look for both Ryan and Newton to be the focus for both teams as each coach wants to give their quarterback a taste of their former glory.