Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, after winning the NFL’s MVP last season, has seen a dramatic decrease in his touchdown passes and rushing yards as the Panthers are on the verge of elimination from playoff contention.
Newton has cut his rushing attempts nearly 40 percent, from 132 for 636 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2015, to 79 for 317 yards and five touchdowns this season.
Last season, Newton tossed 35 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He has 17 touchdown passes and nine interceptions with two games to play this year.
Newton has been hit more often – illegal and otherwise – playing behind a patchwork line that has lost starting left tackle Michael Oher (concussion) and center Ryan Kalil (right shoulder).
He flashed his old form in the Panthers’ 26-15 victory over the Redskins on Monday night.
Newton was 21-of-37 passing (56.7 percent) for 300 yards and two touchdowns against Washington to finish with a passer rating of 101.2. His only other 100-plus passer rating this season came against San Francisco, when he reached 111.8 in a 46-27 win on Sept. 18.
Newton hadn’t completed 50 percent of his attempts in his previous four games. He completed just 42.4 percent in a win over New Orleans, 48.3 in a loss to Oakland, 43.8 in a loss to Seattle and 37 percent in a win over San Diego.
Newton was 14 of 25 (56 percent) for 165 yards and a 89.6 passer rating in the Falcons’ 48-33 win on Oct. 2.
