Cam Newton was the story, but let’s not forget what P.J. Walker did for the Panthers
Following the Panthers’ 34-10 win over the Arizona Cardinals, coach Matt Rhule was not interested in naming a starting quarterback for next week.
Sure, it’ll probably be Cam Newton. Rhule admitted he wouldn’t announce a starter even if in his head he knew who it’d be. It’s hard-pressed to think it won’t be Newton. Though he played only eight snaps, Carolina’s backup quarterback scored two touchdowns and provided the Panthers with the bravado they’ve lacked all year.
Carolina obliterated the Cardinals on Sunday. Newton’s multiple first-quarter touchdowns were set up by two early Arizona turnovers. The Panthers’ defense showed why all they need is steady quarterback play to compete for a playoff spot. Newton provided some points but starter P.J. Walker guided Carolina’s offense to its best win of the season.
“I have to start with P.J. Walker. I thought he played an excellent football game,” Rhule said. “For everyone who asks me, ‘why is he here and why did you pick him as your backup?’ That is why.”
Walker stepped into a challenging situation facing the Cardinals (8-2) on the road. The Panthers had a week unlike any other with the Thursday signing of former MVP Newton before placing regular starter Sam Darnold on injured reserve Friday. Yet, Walker navigated around potential distractions and focused on executing a specific game plan predicated on disturbing the ball to Panthers’ running backs.
“Everything I went through this week prepared me for this game. Mentally, I was there. I was locked in and I was ready to go. I made a few good checks that I was proud of today so that was something I was looking forward to.”
It helps having Christian McCaffrey fully healthy. Walker completed 22 of his 29 pass attempts for 167 yards. Ten of those completions went to McCaffrey, who finished with 161 total yards on 23 combined touches. His first completion to McCaffrey came on third-and-9 and resulted in a 13-yard conversion, which set up Newton’s first touchdown.
“I refuse to take full credit because I would not have gotten down there without P.J. on that third down with C-Mac being resilient,” Newton said. “I’m so proud of P.J. for him to look down the barrel so many different times and deliver the ball.”
Walker quarterbacked five scoring drives that resulted in three field goals and one touchdown. He did throw a second-quarter interception but overcame it by piecing together a 12-play drive prior to halftime that ended with a 49-yard Zane Gonzalez field goal. With a 23-0 halftime lead, the Panthers implemented a conservative second-half game plan.
Newton and Walker co-opted another scoring drive on the Panthers’ first possession of the third quarter. The first three plays went to Walker. He completed a 9-yard pass to DJ Moore and then converted a third-and-1 quarterback sneak. Newton took the next three plays. A deep shot to Moore resulted in a 33-yard pass interference, setting Carolina up inside the red zone.
Walker re-entered and hit McCaffrey on a short pass to the left for 15 yards. The next play, Chuba Hubbard scored on a 5-yard zone read which Walker handled perfectly.
“We made a commitment to use Christian in the passing game. We just wanted to use the tailbacks because they were going to overload the box,” Rhule said. “Then I thought P.J. managed the game well.”
Carolina netted three points over the next 20 minutes but didn’t need much offense to maintain its lead. The defense handled Arizona, supporting Walker in every way.
A former XFL MVP and collegiate star at Temple, Walker keeps pushing toward solidifying his place in the NFL. When Newton likely starts next Sunday at Bank of America Stadium against Washington, Walker will slide back into his No. 2 role. There is no shame in losing your job to Superman. In fact, Walker has an opportunity to absorb knowledge from Newton and continue his own growth as a quarterback.
“I can get the job done no matter the circumstances,” Walker said when asked what he proved. “It’s football to me. Everyone is going to put on their pads the same way I do. They are going to lace up their cleats the same way I do. It’s all about going out there and executing. And I thought I executed well today.”
This story was originally published November 15, 2021 at 7:00 AM.
