Week 1 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Cam Newton had a down season by his standards last year, throwing for only 3,302 yards and tossing 16 interceptions—the second-most in his career. However, he still combined for 28 touchdowns, including six on the ground. His ability to impact the game with both his arm and his legs makes him a high-floor option each and every week. He finished with a career-high 754 rushing yards. There’s no reason to think he’ll stop running the ball this year.
The Cowboys were very average against the pass last season and they only allowed one rushing touchdown to the quarterback position, but Newton is the type of player who should be started regardless of matchup. Expect more dual-threat action for Newton. With arguably more weapons to work with than he’s had throughout his whole career, he should be considered a top fantasy option every week.
Fantasy Upside
Cam Newton looked more like himself last season after a down year in 2016. He still didn’t match the 45 touchdowns he amassed in 2015, but his completion rate improved (59.1%) and he threw 22 touchdowns. Furthermore, after rushing for a career-low 359 yards in 2016, he gained a career-high 754 yards on the ground, adding six additional touchdowns. Newton continues to be a viable dual-threat fantasy option, giving him high upside in any given week. The additions of Torrey Smith and first-round pick D.J. Moore to the Carolina receiving corps should help him, as well as the hiring of Norv Turner as offensive coordinator.
Fantasy Downside
Newton is 29 years old and ran the ball 139 times last season, making durability a potential issue. While he’s only missed three games throughout his career, he’s consistently nagged by injuries and is targeted by opposing defenders for bone-crushing hits. Additionally, while Turner has a long history of success as a coordinator, his last couple of stops in Minnesota and Cleveland didn’t yield tremendous fantasy numbers at the quarterback position — although, he didn't work with someone with Newton’s talent. The Panthers also continue to have a below-average offensive line.
2018 Bottom Line
Newton carries enough risk to make it concerning to invest too heavily in him, but he’s a bona fide starting fantasy quarterback with high upside in any given week. The group of weapons he has surrounding him may be the best he’s had throughout his career, and even if Turner isn’t as effective as he once was, he doesn’t have to be too inventive to exceed the expectations of a team that’s had Mike Shula leading the offense for the past five years. He should be considered a top-end option in all league formats — in the second-tier group of quarterbacks behind Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.
Wild Card Round at New Orleans Saints
Cam Newton struggled in his final game of the regular season, throwing 3 interceptions against the division-rival Falcons. He finished with 180 yards passing and a touchdown. He did add 59 yards on the ground, as he often does, to help his fantasy totals for the day. The Panthers were likely only half-interested in the game, however, as they were mostly locked into the fifth seed.
This week, Newton and the Panthers are going to be motivated to beat the Saints, who they lost to twice this season. New Orleans isn’t the best matchup anymore, as they took a huge turn on defense this year, rising from 27th in 2016 to 10th this year in points allowed per game. Still, among the quarterbacks available this week, Newton’s ability to explode and his propensity to add rushing totals to his stats make him one of the best options for fantasy owners playing in the Wild Card round.
Week 17 at Atlanta Falcons
Cam Newton saved an otherwise disappointing fantasy performance against the Bucs last week with a late touchdown run. He finished the game with 160 yards and an interception passing to go with 52 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Newton has a high floor because of his ability to salvage bad fantasy outings with rushing statistics.
This week, Newton will be motivated to beat division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Not only would a win give the Panthers an outside shot at a first-round bye, it could also potentially remove Atlanta from the playoffs. Newton is an excellent fantasy option every week and should be worth starting in all leagues.
Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cam Newton was excellent in an important victory over the Packers last week. He threw for 242 yards and 4 touchdowns, and he added another 58 yards on the ground. Newton’s ability to add rushing points to his passing totals gives him a high floor to work with in all league formats and makes him a steady option each week.
This week, Newton should do well against a Bucs defense ranked dead last in the league in sacks. The Panthers need to win to maintain ahead of the pack in the playoff race, so expect Newton to come out swinging. He’s an elite option this week.
Week 15 vs. Green Bay Packers
Cam Newton had a rough day throwing the ball against the Vikings last week, with only 137 yards, a touchdown, and a pick in a Panthers victory. However, as he often does, he salvaged the day with 70 yards rushing. Newton now has 585 yards and 5 touchdowns rushing this season, which is what makes him such a dangerous fantasy quarterback.
This week, he’ll face a Packers defense ranked 15th in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. With both teams vying for playoff positioning, expect Newton to be motivated and to put up excellent numbers. We have him as a top-five option in all leagues this week.
Week 14 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Cam Newton had only 183 yards passing against the Saints last week, but he threw 2 touchdown passes and added 51 yards on the ground, salvaging his fantasy score. Newton has been inconsistent the last couple of years but he should benefit from Greg Olsen’s return for the remainder of the season.
The Vikings give up the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, so Cam will have his work cut out for him this week. However, the Vikings have allowed 3 rushing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks this year, and Cam has a tendency to supplement his bad passing days with solid rushing totals, so he’s still at least a fringe QB1 option in most leagues.
Week 13 at New Orleans Saints
Cam Newton had only 168 yards passing last week against the Jets, but he added 28 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Newton’s ability to supplement his passing statistics with fantasy points on the ground make him a high-floor option in most leagues.
This week, Newton will face the Saints. While New Orleans has been effective on defense this year overall, they’re dealing with some injuries in their secondary at the moment and gave up 354 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Jared Goff last week. Newton should be able to take advantage in a critical divisional matchup and should be active in all fantasy league formats.
Week 12 at New York Jets
Cam Newton had a fantastic game against the Dolphins before the bye last week. He threw for 254 yards and 4 touchdowns, and he added 95 yards on the ground, including an impressive 69-yard run. Newton can run hot and cold, but there’s no questioning his talent, and his ability to salvage mediocre days passing with rushing totals.
This week, Cam faces a fairly average Jets defense ranked 16th in the league, allowing 22.2 points per game to opposing teams. Cam should do well in the matchup, and should benefit from the probable return of tight end Greg Olsen, who has been out since Week 2. Cam should be active in all leagues.
Week 10 vs. Miami Dolphins
Cam Newton didn’t do much through the air last week, throwing for only 137 yards, but he added 86 yards and a touchdown rushing, helping him to a decent enough fantasy outing. Newton is so good at compensating for poor passing with rushing totals that it gives him a higher floor than most quarterbacks.
This week, Newton has a lot of upside against an inconsistent Dolphins defense that gave up 300 yards and a touchdown to Derek Carr last week, and ranks 15th in the league in passing touchdowns allowed this year. The Dolphins have shown they can shut down a team like they did against Atlanta, or get blown out by a team like Baltimore. With Newton’s rushing ability, though, he should be good for QB1 numbers in all leagues this week and should be active.
