The Carolina Panthers are still in the hunt for the postseason. After getting the win in Tampa Bay in Week 15, the Panthers face the Cleveland Browns and then Atlanta Falcons to end their year. While they need some cards to fall in their favor, there is still a shot at getting another NFC South title if they win out. A lot of that could be determined by the health of Cam Newton following his car accident last week, something that is still up in the air heading into Sunday.
Newton is still recovering from two small fractures in his lower back after getting into a car accident Dec.9. The quarterback sat out Week 15, but has been seen throwing the ball at practice. The quarterback worked out with the second-team offense for over 20 minutes while practice was open to the media, but head coach Ron Rivera is not ready to rule Newton active against the Browns.
"The biggest factor will whether or not they tell me he can protect himself,'' Rivera said, via ESPN.com. "I don't want to put a guy out there if he can't protect himself. By that, being able to run out of the way, scramble out of the way to stay alive, keep the play alive by being able to get out of the way.''
Rivera said the decision will come down to a combination of what the trainers say regarding Newton and what he observes from the quarterback on the field. If Newton looks unprepared for the matchup, Derek Anderson will get another start against Cleveland. The quarterback fared well in the game against Tampa Bay, but that was also against the spotty Buccaneers defense. Anderson finished the day with 277 yards and one touchdown along with three sacks.
Anderson got a lot of help from his star receivers. Greg Olsen finished with 110 yards while Kelvin Benjamin put up 104 yards. They will be challenged the Browns' secondary that has Joe Haden likely pairing up with the rookie down the sidelines. Anderson would be wise to rely on running back Jonathan Stewart who had 73 yards last week.
Rivera told the media that the team would increase Newton's work load over the week and see how he does, but the team has full confidence in Anderson if the quarterback cannot play. The Browns are a better team than Tampa Bay, so getting Newton healthy will certainly help.
