New York Jets: Three keys to victory over the Panthers in week 12

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 15: The Carolina Panthers versus New York Jets (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 15: The Carolina Panthers versus New York Jets (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 13: Cam Newton (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 13: Cam Newton (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Contain Cam Newton

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Cam Newton is not the scariest pocket passer in the league. That is not to say that he is a bad one, but he isn’t the best. He’s not Tom Brady. Newton has actually thrown more interceptions this season (11) than Josh McCown has (8).

Where Newton starts to become scary is when he starts running around. When he scrambles he is tough to bring down. His running numbers are up as he is averaging a career high of 5.9 yards per carry. That’s a guy that is finding chunk plays when all else fails.

To have any chance at all, the defense is going to have to contain him. What does that mean, exactly? Well, it means that they cannot over-pursue. Think about all of the times you have seen a player like Newton roll one way, reverse his field, and find nobody out there to stop him. It’s because the defender on the back side came too far over and was out of position.

That is what they mean when talking about setting the edge. Stay in position and you can keep Newton in the pocket. Then, you can beat him.