CHARLOTTE – For three quarters Sunday, Cam Newton had the kind of uneven performance typical for countless quarterbacks visiting CenturyLink Field over recent years.
What Newton did in the fourth quarter, however, was anything but typical – though signs point to it becoming more of the norm for the fifth-year standout.
"He's played very well this year, so it's hard to say if one game has been better than another, but it most certainly was his best fourth quarter," head coach Ron Rivera said Monday, one day after Newton rallied the Panthers to a dramatic 27-23 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. "It's one of his best games."
It didn't look like it would be through three quarters. But after hitting on just 8-of-21 passes for 107 yards with two interceptions heading into the final quarter, Newton was 12-of-15 for 162 yards and a touchdown the rest of the way.
That precision keyed two 80-yard touchdown drives that turned a 23-14 deficit into a pulsating victory that improved Carolina to 5-0 on the season.
"He started slow – there were some things that they were doing that we had to adjust to – and I thought some of the adjustments we made as far as protection and play calling were outstanding," Rivera said. "We built confidence as the game went on."
Confidence in the former No. 1 overall draft pick, in fact, has been building over the years.
Between the white lines, Newton has always an air of confidence about him, but it didn't always translate to the success on the scoreboard that he and the Panthers had sought. Rivera said that the confidence shown by the Panthers toward Newton is among the things that have helped get him over the top.
"The confidence that we've shown in him over the years and the confidence we showed this summer with getting his contract done – having him and Luke (Kuechly) as our quarterbacks on offense and defense - is huge," Rivera said. "He's earned it, and he wants to show everybody that he deserves it. That's part of why he competes the way he does. To him, nothing is easy."
Confidence beyond bravado – confidence that produces results - doesn't come easy. That's something Newton understands, and that's why results like the one Sunday in Seattle mean so much to him.
"He works hard at it," Rivera said. "A lot of people don't understand, there's a lot of time he puts in behind the scenes. He's one of the last guys to leave – from his workouts, extra treatments and time in the film room to coming upstairs and meeting with the coaches on Tuesdays to share ideas and suggestions. Those are a lot of things people don't discuss.
"He's done a great job."
View photos from Cam Newton's career in Carolina from his rookie year in 2011 through 2019. Newton is Carolina's all-time leader in nearly every quarterback statistical category.
Carolina Panthers celebrate after defeating the Arizona Cardinals to win the NFC Conference Championship
Cam Newton visits various locations around Charlotte during his annual Santa Cam's Surprise Sleigh on Tuesday, December 11, 2018.
Cam Newton runs for a touchdown during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Cam Newton celebrates a touchdown during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Cam Newton celebrates after a touchdown during the game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, at Bank of America Stadium.
Cam Newton Carolina Panthers against Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, September 9, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey celebrates a touchdown with Cam Newton against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Cam Newton passes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Cam Newton visits the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club on Marsh Road on November 12, 2018.
Cam Newton and Julius Peppers laugh on the sidelines during a week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018.
Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) dives for the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton celebrates a touchdown in the endzone against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Nov 4, 2018.
Cam Newton gives away a football and bracelet to fans during a week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018.
Cam Newton smiles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Nov 4, 2018.
Cam Newton looks to pass during a week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018.
Cam Newton and Thomas Davis travel for their game against Washington on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018.
Cam Newton (1) looks for a fan to give the ball away to after scoring against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton leaps in the air as he rushes the ball during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
Cam Newton scores a touchdown during a week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018.
Cam Newton during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, September 23, 2018.
Cam Newton Carolina Panthers against Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, September 9, 2018.
Steve Smith visits Cam Newton during Panthers practice on Thursday, September 6, 2018.
Cam Newton passes during a game against the New Orleans Saints in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
Cam Newton during the Carolina Panthers game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October, 29, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.
Cam Newton Carolina Panthers against Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, September 9, 2018.
Greg Olsen and Cam Newton celebrate a touchdown during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton passes against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton runs out of the tunnel during pregame against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart celebrate a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) leaps over center Ryan Kalil (67) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) and strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) to score on a 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter during the NFC Championship game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Jan 24, 2016. The Panthers defeated the Cardinals 49-15. (Kirby Lee/NFL)
Cam Newton carries the football during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
