Cam Newton’s 15 Interceptions in 2014

Play 6
Situation: 1st and 10 at CAR 31
Description: Q1 - (13:15) (Shotgun) C.Newton pass short middle intended for K.Benjamin INTERCEPTED by C.Williams at CAR 42. C.Williams to CAR 43 for -1 yards (A.Norwell).
Opponent: 10. PHI

Offensive Formation: Shotgun Near - “Ram” Call
Offensive Personnel: 12
Defensive Formation: Cover 1 with two underneath linebackers

The Panthers run the slant-flat concept on the left side of the field with WR13 Benjamin running a slant-route and TE88 Olsen releasing into the left flat. CB26 Williams playing in off-man coverage jumps the route and picks the ball off jumping in front of Benjamin while LB50 Matthews drops back into zone coverage to bracket him as well.

This is just a terrible decision by Newton. First, Newton takes the snap and instantly reads the slant-flat concept. He realizes that Olsen is covered, so he moves on to Benjamin. Good. The problem comes next. Newton stares down Benjamin which signals CB26 Williams to jump the route and then he forces the ball to him for an easy double-covered interception.

---

Play 7
Situation: 2nd and 4 at CAR 26
Description: Q2 - (2:21) (Shotgun) C.Newton pass short right intended for J.Avant INTERCEPTED by B.Fletcher at CAR 34. B.Fletcher for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Dorenbos, Holder-D.Jones.
Opponent: 10. PHI

Offensive Formation: Shotgun Right Slot Far
Offensive Personnel: 11
Defensive Formation: Cover 1

Newton takes the snap from shotgun and instantly targets WR81 Avant on the hitch route. This is a timing pattern that needs to be thrown with excellent anticipation, which Newton does a great job. Unfortunately, the problem is that Newton puts the ball too far to the inside making it an easy read and pick by CB24 Fletcher. Avant definitely doesn’t give Newton any help by coming to the ball to box out Fletcher, but this ball placement is the leading cause for the INT here.

---

Play 8
Situation: 3rd and 18 at PHI 49
Description: Q2 - (:23) (Shotgun) C.Newton pass deep right intended for J.Cotchery INTERCEPTED by N.Allen at PHI 5. N.Allen to PHI 8 for 3 yards (J.Cotchery).
Opponent: 10. PHI

Offensive Formation: Shotgun Trips Bunch Right - “Rob” Call
Offensive Personnel: 10
Defensive Formation: Cover 4 “Prevent”

In this play all three wide receivers run go-routes to the endzone right before the end of the 1st half. I’m not going to analyze this play any further since it’s an end-of-the-half heave.

---

Play 9
Situation: 3rd and 6 at ATL 44
Description: Q1 - (10:25) (Shotgun) C.Newton pass short left intended for G.Olsen INTERCEPTED by K.Ishmael at ATL 32. K.Ishmael ran ob at ATL 32 for no gain.
Opponent: 11. ATL

Offensive Formation: Shotgun Slot Right Far
Offensive Personnel: 11
Defensive Formation: Cover 2

TE88 Olsen runs an out-route past the first down marker. Olsen breaks free on his cut move to the outside where Newton finds him by the sideline. FS20 Lowery catches up to Olsen to get a hand on the ball as it’s not placed further enough outside. The ball deflects off of Lowery’s/Olsen’s hands right into SS36 Ishmael’s hands by the sideline. In this interception I blame Newton for the ball placement as it’s too far inside, but also give credit to Lowery for the pass deflection.

---

Play 10
Situation: 3rd and 2 at CAR 28
Description: Q3 - (13:44) (Shotgun) C.Newton pass short left intended for K.Benjamin INTERCEPTED by D.Trufant at CAR 33. D.Trufant to CAR 14 for 19 yards (K.Benjamin).
Opponent: 11. ATL

Offensive Formation: Shotgun Slot Left Near
Offensive Personnel: 11
Defensive Formation: Cover 1

Newton takes the snap from shotgun and targets WR13 Benjamin on the drag route on 3rd and short with the hope of picking up the first down. Newton starts to feel the pressure and doesn’t fully step into the pass leaving it with not as much velocity as it should have had. This allows CB21 Trufant sitting in off-man coverage over Benjamin to jump the route and return the ball for 19 yards up the left sideline.

Article continues on the next page.