Panthers coach Matt Rhule again publicly criticized Newton on Sunday after the Panthers’ 31-14 loss to Buffalo, in which Newton completed under 50% of his passes and was only 156 yards with a ball touch and mid-air interception. Rhule’s criticism stemmed from Newton’s decision to throw the ball in 4th and 1st from midfield.
The Panthers just called a timeout to prepare for the play. But instead of handing it over, as Rhule claimed Newton had to do, he chose to throw his body across to Robby Anderson, who was never found.
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“It’s an area to be read,” Rhule speak after the game. “There’s a bubble there in case a grenade isn’t intercepted. Point Mike, we stopped that guy. So it was just a quartet fault. That should be an advantage, get down first. He pulled the ball, there was only one person there. Just poor execution. But that’s the right way to play Jeff [Nixon]. It will be the first to go down. “
This not the first time Rhule publicly insulted Newton and used him as a scapegoat. After last week’s game, he was similarly criticized.
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The Panthers also made a mid-season change in offensive coordinator, when former wunderkind Joe Brady was dismissed a few weeks ago.
Regardless of what anyone called the offensive plays, though, both the team and Newton struggled. Carolina is 25th for goal fouls and 29th for total fouls and 29th for passes and 31st for touchdowns.
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Newton, who was brought in earlier this season to replace the injured Sam Darnold, played five games and started four for Carolina, completing 54.9% of passes for 623 yards and four touchdowns. and 4 interceptions. He also had five quick touchdowns during the season.
With a score of 5-9, Carolina finished last in the NFC South with the last three games against Tampa twice and New Orleans once.
