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NFL power rankings: Starting quarterbacks from best to worst

By John Buhler

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) passes the football against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) passes the football against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cam Newton

Quarterback, Carolina Panthers

Two years ago, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had his breakout NFL season. His 2015 Panthers went 15-1, won the NFC and he won league MVP. The NFL got to see first-hand what Newton’s charismatic on-field leadership style can do to a team when it is firing on all cylinders. He looked like Auburn Cam.

2016 was not kind to Newton or the Panthers. Carolina stumbled to 6-10 and Newton’s accuracy plummeted. He completed only 52.9 percent of his passes for 3,509 yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Newton the NFL got in 2016 resembled the pouty player from 2011 to 2012.

2017 is a massively important year for Newton and the Panthers. He’s coming off his worst NFL season and Carolina will have to battle rivals Atlanta and Tampa Bay for the division crown. If it’s 2016 all over again for Newton, that might be the end for the Ron Rivera era in Charlotte.

It’s not difficult to assess. Newton is never going to be an accurate passer. However, he can win championships as long as he has a great running game and defense backing him up. Fortunately for Newton and the Panthers, those two crucial parts to the Panthers’ overall success has been their bread and butter for most of the franchise’s existence. It’s a major reason that Carolina is rarely bad for very long.

Newton normally plays at a Pro Bowl level. While we shouldn’t expect him to win his second NFL MVP in three seasons, an average year for Newton makes Carolina playoff viable. Newton is one of the few quarterbacks that can win at any seed in the NFC Playoffs, assuming Carolina qualifies.

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