NFL: 5 takeaways from Week 2

Welcome Back Cam Newton

The opportunity to watch Cam Newton on Sunday’s makes the world a better place. We were deprived of this in the Carolina Panthers Week One victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was a smart move by Panthers head coach Ron Rivera to hold Newton out so he could fully recover from his rib injury instead of risking his star in the opening week of the season. A ballsy move in such a short season.

Rivera was rewarded taking down the opener with backup Derek Anderson and then getting his beastly QB back to lead Carolina to an impressive second win against the Detroit Lions.

Newton ran, Newton threw and Netwon did fun celebrations Phil Simms probably bitched and moaned about on a show somewhere.

His supporting cast didn’t take the dramatic drop off many thought it did in the offseason. Rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin will go through his struggles, he dropped three passes in Week Two, still he’s a threat every time he lines up. Jason Avant and Jerricho Cotchery are professional pass catchers plus Greg Olson is a solid tight end.

With DeAngelo Williams out, running back Jonathan Stewart stepped in and ran like a grown man. What you watched didn’t necessarily translate to a great box score line, but he looked explosive, strong and fully healthy. Even when Williams returns Stewart has earned a true role in the offense, maybe holding onto a leading one.