The Panthers' major fault has been taking their foot off the gas in the second half.
They didn't do that in Sunday's game against the Cardinals, and it was something to see. There's a difference between beating someone and just stomping someone. The Panthers
stomped the Cardinals for the whole game. It was pitiful, just pit-tee-full. I almost felt sorry for Carson Palmer, but Bruce Arians is such a jerk, all feelings of sympathy for the Cardinals quickly vanished.
I wouldn't want to have been Palmer today. He may do better in the future, but he'll
never forget yesterday's butt-whuppin'.
Y'all can say what you want about Cam Newton. I used to couldn't stand the guy, myself. Poked fun at him every chance I got. But he's come a long way in five years. Arrogant? Maybe. Show off? For sure. A good quarterback? No. He's turned himself into a
great quarterback. He's fun to watch. All Pro, and he'll be MVP.
Newton's also turned himself into one of the greatest
running quarterbacks. He's 6'6" and at
least 255 pounds. Would
you want to tackle him? No other QB in the league is doing what he's doing.
I'm picking the Panthers. Not cause they're the hometown team. I think they're the better team. It'll be a hard game, I think, but the Panthers'll win in the end, and Peyton Manning can resume his new career as an insurance salesman.