Win Probability Added: +16.70
NEP: +7.96
Some day 10 or 15 years down the road, when Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton retires, the NFL is going to be measurably less fun. From his on-field celebrations and genuine joie de vivre in playing the game to his incredible post-game presser outfits, Cam exemplifies the kind of football that makes our jaws drop and forces us to laugh in uncontrollable glee. He’s most notorious for being a tank of a runner on the ground, but the Panthers have a prominent passer in him too. He may not be the most accurate, but Cam’s cannon is a sight to behold when he unleashes it.
He did so in the third quarter of last week’s game against the Oakland Raiders, with a 3rd-and-6 from the Panthers’ own 12-yard line. Newton casually dropped back in the pocket, surveyed his receivers, went through his progression, and ripped a 50-yard rainbow with a flick of his wrist to wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. Ginn came from the left slot and ran a deep post, burning his man instantly, leading to an 88-yard touchdown that put the Panthers back within one score.