Carolina Panthers Twenty Bracket: Rivera Region

Sep 14, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates with quarterbacks Derek Anderson (3) and Joe Webb (right) after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina defeated Detroit 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Rivera Region: 1 Seed Cam Newton vs 16 Seed Derek Anderson

First Seed – Cam Newton

Is there any doubt of Newton’s importance to the success of the Panthers. He has a heck of an arm and a pretty good pair of legs too. The issue with Newton has always been between the ears. Over time he has silenced the doubters from his first couple of four hundred yard passing games to game winning drives. Now he will be making big time quarterback money too. Can the ‘most unique player in NFL History’ live up to his own hype?

Sixteenth Seed – Derek Anderson

Anderson has been the most important backup quarterback since Beuerlein. Like Beuerlein, Anderson has starter experience of his own to draw from. He won two games in the captain’s seat last season. Without those two games, the Panthers are not in the playoffs.