4 key observations from Cam Newton’s performance vs. the Falcons
By Dean Jones
Cam Newton came out late in the second quarter
Matt Rhule stated in the week that there might be some opportunities for P.J. Walker in certain situations. This came late in the second quarter after Cam Newton threw a pick-six and followed that up with a three-and-out, enabling the Atlanta Falcons to score 17 consecutive points and take charge of the contest.
Walker was installed under center with a little under four minutes remaining and was inevitably sacked on his second play from scrimmage and the next play saw the signal-caller make a bad decision and throw an interception of his own coming out of the two-minute warning.
Laughable really.
Rhule is getting too cute with how he approaches things on offense. His decision to fire Joe Brady in favor of Jeff Nixon was a big call to make at this stage of the campaign, but it didn’t appear as if there was much confidence during the first half as the Falcons figured things out pretty quickly.
The Carolina Panthers sending Newton to the sidelines hinted that Rhule isn’t entirely sold on the quarterback, who came in late into the organization in a desperate attempt to help turn things around.
They found themselves down 17-7 at the half. Down, but not entirely out.