By Brandon Simmons
Cam is Back with the Panthers
Quarterback Cam Newton has returned to the Carolina Panthers, after the team signed him last week. The move comes in the wake of Panthers QB Sam Darnold suffering an injury that will likely put him out for the year. Newton has already made an impact with his return, scoring 2 touchdowns – 1 rushing and 1 pass – in the Panthers’ win over the Arizona Cardinals. Despite the excitement of Newton’s appearance in a Panthers jersey, Panthers QB P.J. Waller played most of the game, throwing for around 167 yards.
Newton’s performance was short, but it was inspiring nonetheless. The team brought him in and already had him on the field within a few days, while playing on an entirely new coaching staff than when he left the team 2 years ago. Cam has went through training camp with the New England Patriots, and played in the preseason, so he’s not out of shape; he’s fresh but will have to get into his own midseason form while learning the playbook. However, Waller might remain the starting QB while Newton can be utilized as a red zone gadget player or any other packages they find to employ his skillset.
What Does Teddy Bridgewater Missing a Tackle Say about Him and the Broncos?
Sunday, the Denver Broncos got destroyed by the Philadelphia Eagles 30-13 but it was a missed tackle by Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater that has fans fuming. In the 3rd quarter, Broncos running back Melvin Gordon fumbled the ball and Eagles cornerback Darius Slay recovered it, sprinting to the end zone for a pick 6. In the middle of the pursuit, Bridgewater lazily tried to bump into Slay as opposed to making an actual tackle. Broncos fans were heated at the lack of effort on Brigdewater’s part.
It seems like everyone is putting a little too much sauce on this situation but it’s likely another reason for this. Broncos fans were enjoying the trampling of the Dallas Cowboys last week, only to end up on the wrong side of a blowout, this past weekend. They are wanting some consistency from this team, especially when Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs hit a slump this season but also when the franchise got rid of its best defensive player. Quite frankly, Bridgewater is just the scapegoat for a bad, frustrating loss. Usually, QB’s are shot some bail for whiffing on tackles, but his actions yesterday just got everybody into a frenzy, instead of people focusing on Gordon for fumbling the ball. Besides, he’s having one of his best seasons statistically, but with his style of play, the team must be better around him. If you’re think people are enraged about him missing that tackle, you’re missing the point.
Rams Sign OBJ
The Los Angeles signed wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. adding another piece to their high-flying offense. The signing came a week after Beckham was released by the Cleveland Browns. It wasn’t long before they put him into action, Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers. While OBJ did not have big numbers, it was certainly an encouraging start for OBJ. For starters, he was not overthrown the ball so egregiously just like in the infamous viral clips that went around this year. Early on he was used a decoy to get a big play for Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. One of his targets ended up being an interception but he laid out the defender afterwards, which at lest assures the fans he is engaged with this team.
Things might just get better with OBJ going forward, should they work through a few obstacles. The Rams seem eager to get him the ball early in the game but in the 2nd half, they could not find him as much, probably because they might have been running plays OBJ has not caught on to yet. The good thing is that Los Angeles is heading into the bye week before they face the Green Bay Packers, so it will be more than enough time to work Beckham into the offense and let him find a role to be comfortable with.
Shoutouts/Shutouts
Shout out to the Miami Dolphins for their upset win over the Baltimore Ravens last Thursday. The Dolphins hosted the Ravens at home for their 22-10 victory. Miami even got an appearance from QB Tua Tagovoiloa, who did not start because of a finger injruy coming into this game but replaced injured QB Jacoby Brissett in the 2nd half.
Shut out to injuries. This week Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young tore his ACL on Sunday and Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus with torn biceps. Hopefully these guys will have a sufficient recovery to get them back into action.
Week 11 has arrived and a couple of teams on the playoff bubble are in for a tough weekend. The Las Vegas Raiders are hosting the Cincinnati Bengals in a game to start the Wild Card race early. Both teams are 5-4 and a game outside of the 7th spot behind the Los Angeles Chargers. Speaking of the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs are hosting the Dallas Cowboys in a potential shootout. Both teams are coming off of blowout wins but it will be impossible for these two to route each other. It might really come down to who has the ball in their hand last. But until then…I’ll holla.
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