Each and every NFL game, the play of all participating quarterbacks is placed under a finely-tuned microscope. Last night’s Sunday Night Football game was no different. With the Carolina Panthers looking to remain unbeaten and the Philadelphia Eagles hoping to make right a season that’s been filled with unmet expectations, the play of both Cam Newton and Sam Bradford was bound to become a talking point the minute the game ended.
Truthfully, though Newton’s Panthers were able to keep their unbeaten streak alive, his play was less than impressive, to say the least. Completing just 14-of-24 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown, the worst part of Newton’s performance came from the three interceptions he threw. Additionally, for what it’s worth, Newton did also manage to score a rushing touchdown on a designed run from two yards out. Though somewhat quiet, Newton will still be considered a mid-range QB1 option for fantasy owners come Week 8 when the Panthers will take on the Indianapolis Colts at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
On the opposing sideline, Eagle’s quarterback Sam Bradford, in a similar fashion of sorts, failed to capitalize on Newton’s weak output, completing only 26-of-46 passes for zero touchdowns and an interception in his team’s loss to the Panthers. Reports Yahoo.com of the injury-prone quarterback’s struggles, “It’s another dreadful game from Bradford, who completed 57 percent of his passes. His pocket awareness continued to be an issue, with the Eagles offensive line allowing five sacks.”
Whether it be inaccurate throwing or generic immobility, Bradford’s play has made the offseason moving of Nick Foles look like a clear-cut wrong mistake. Unless Bradford can quickly reverse a playing style that has his touchdown/interception ratio at a crisp 9:10, it’s unlikely Bradford’s wearing of an Eagle’s uniform be labeled anything other than a complete and total bust come the end of the season.
Needless to say, at this point, fantasy owners have have little need of Bradford and should look elsewhere for low-end quarterbacks with a real shot at breakout work from week to week. Until further notice, Bradford’s easy to overlook out on the waiver wire.