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The most important player to every NFC teams’ playoff hopes

By Joel Deering

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 16: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball for a 21 yard touchdown, his second of the day, in the fourth quarter of them game against the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 16: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball for a 21 yard touchdown, his second of the day, in the fourth quarter of them game against the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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NFC teams' playoff hopes - Cam Newton
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 17: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints in the fourth quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers (6-8)

Most important player: QB Cam Newton

After starting the season 6-2, this NFC team’s playoff hopes have barely hanging on. Depending on what happens this week, they may be done entering the final week of the season. For now though, there’s still a chance.

For the Panthers to make it back to the playoffs, they’ll need their Superman to start playing like Superman again. That’s right, Cam Newton is the most important player to this NFC teams’ playoff hopes.

Over the last three games, Newton’s passer rating has been 62.9. It’s no wonder the Panthers lost those three games when their star QB is playing like that. What about the other three losses on their six game losing streak? Newton actually averaged a passer rating of 109.3.

The Carolina Panthers have more problems than just Newton. There’s a good chance they’ll still lose even if Newton has his best game of the season, but there’s no chance of them making the playoffs is he doesn’t play well.

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If the Panthers are going to make the playoffs, or at least stay alive for another week, Newton has to be at his best. I don’t care if he’s passing or running, he just has to be the exciting Cam Newton we love watching make plays. If he’s not that on every play, the Panthers have no chance.

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