He shows much respect to the young quarterback Cam Newton realizing it won’t be a easy task containing the guy on gameday per Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post. Cards coach Bruce Arians expected Palmer to shake off those nerves in time for Sunday’s game, but that wasn’t the case, as Palmer had his worst outing of the season in Charlotte. On Sunday, Newton starred in a 49-15 demolition of the Arizona Cardinals, in an NFC title game that seemed more like a coronation all night long.
Advertisement
Superman is bringing his cape and his pen to Super Bowl 50. He’s leaving behind his camera.
Carolina will make its second appearance in the Super Bowl and first since 2004, a loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII.
That would be against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in two weeks.
Arians said he expects Jonathan Cooper to be ready to move back into the right guard spot, where Ted Larsen took over early in the season. “We’re going to be excited”.
Newton throws for 285 yards with two interceptions.
According to VegasInsider.com, three sports books – William Hill, Wynn LV, and CG Technology – all list the Panthers as four-point favorites.
“We did what a lot of people said we couldn’t do”. The Broncos gave up 283.1 yards and 18.5 points during the regular season, and intercepted Tom Brady twice in Sunday’s 20-18 win in the AFC Championship Game. He also had 52 yards on two receptions. “My team knew it was personal”. We led the league in takeaways. After setting regular-season franchise records for yards passing and touchdown passes, he played probably his worst game since coming to Arizona. “There was pressure all day”. First, he almost scored on the punt return, zipping 22 yards straight upfield before slipping at midfield while trying to make what looked to be an ill-advised sharp cut to the right.
The Panthers capitalized quickly. Newton hit four passes for 35 yards on their opening drive and Graham Gano hit from 45 yards for a 3-0 lead.
For such a talented quarterback, Carson Palmer has had a rough career. He just connected too many times with the Panthers. He appeared to be on the verge of breaking free on a punt return, but slipped and fell after picking up 32 yards.
Newton’s flip was extraneous – he bopped center Ryan Kalil on the head on his descent and took an unnecessary shot from safety Rashad Johnson. And it goes beyond Newton showing a clear separation on the same field in one game.
Newton stuck a dart into Brown’s gut, Johnson spun back around but blew the tackle.
But that was the lone blemish for Newton, who now won’t be able to accept the MVP trophy, given that the NFL’s Honors awards program is the night before the Super Bowl.
He followed with a dab or two, handed the ball to a fan in the end zone, and ran to the sideline to chants of “MVP!”
But fans are unlikely to see much of what could have been the marquee matchup – Norman covering Arizona’s star receiver Larry Fitzgerald – because Fitzgerald lines up roughly 60% of the time in the slot, while Norman mostly plays on the outside.
Advertisement
On Arizona’s first play after Peterson’s muff, Palmer was sacked and fumbled. The Panthers piled up seven takeaways against the Cardinals – six on defense, one on special teams – including an interception returned for a score by linebacker Luke Kuechly. In fact, Cam’s achievements led him to being drafted by the Panthers as the first pick in the 2011 National Football League draft!
