Carolina has hopefully found their North Star in Bryce Young that they can chart their course to success. It’s never easy for rookie quarterbacks, and it won’t be easy for Young as his first two games are on the road against divisional opponents. Historically, rookie quarterbacks struggle in their NFL debut. The last rookie qb to win a Week 1 was David Carr in 2002 against the Dallas Cowboys. Cam Newton couldn’t do it. Andrew Luck couldn’t do it. Joe Burrow didn’t even do it. Bryce Young hopes to be the first in over 20 years to win a Week 1 opener as a rookie.
Cam Newton’s first game against the Cardinals was electic. He broke the rookie passing record for their debut with 422 yards passing and 3 touchdowns, but the Panthers fell because of a late punt return for a touchdown by Patrick Peterson.
Newton wouldn’t play the Atlanta Falcons until Week 6. It didn’t go well for the rookie quarterback either. He threw three interceptions (two in the 4th quarter) and finished 21-of-35 passing for 237 yards in a 31-17 loss in his first trip to the Georgia Dome.
Let’s hope Bryce Young’s first trip to Atlanta turns out better than Cam Newton’s.
By Tony Dunn
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