Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will have his second big test in pro football this Thursday.
His first test was to become a worthy draft pick for the Panthers. Check. Now, can he beat the returning champions of the NFL in front of America on Thursday Night Football? I like the matchup. An elite front four will give the burly but quick QB a run for his money. Cam Newton has shocked me. It was obvious he had the build and the arm for the game. His skills have really come along at a brisk pace.
The Panthers were not bad last year. Were they good? No, but they had moments of playoff-type ball. The New York Giants suffered a terrible loss in their opener to the Dallas Cowboys. The Boys looked dominant against a Giants team that appeared to be tired. New York will give Carolina all they can handle. However, Ahmad Bradshaw is not going to play. The team should be careful with his neck injury that happened just a few days ago. Eli Manning is coming off his pass-happy game. Being one dimensional for an entire game will hurt the Giants. If you have a wideout that wears New York blue, start him.
The Panthers should control the tempo of the game. Cam Newton will mix in run and pass. DeAngelo Williams has always been one of my favorite backs. I have never thought that team used him properly. Steve Smith is my big sleeper this year. He’s still got something in the tank. I’ve always loved the way he runs his routes. I’ll take the Panthers in this one.
It’s Cam’s second test. His third is to make the playoffs. The Saints have really taken the backseat in this division. Tampa Bay looked good against Carolina in week one. That doesn’t mean I have a vote of confidence in them down the stretch. The Atlanta Falcons are strong. Good running, passing, and defense for Matt Ryan’s crew could send them back to the playoffs. Michael Turner just got in a little trouble with the law. That won’t have too big of an impact though. These two teams will fight for the NFC South title. I like my chances with the Panthers.
Everyone is comparing Matt Ryan to a young Peyton Manning. I compare Cam Newton to a young John Elway.
