NFL fans are mystified about why Cam Newton didn’t QB sneak instead of bizarre Panthers 4th down play

NFL teams usually know the drill with short yardage plays when facing Cam Newton: The 6-foot-5, 245-pound quarterback takes the ball and leaps over the pile for a first down or a touchdown.

On Thursday night, in the Panthers’ 20-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina faced a 4th and 1 on the 1-yard line with just 1:28 left. They were down by six. To everyone watching, it screamed a Newton QB sneak for the first down or even the score.

But Newton wasn’t under center. He was split out to the tight end spot and it was Christian McCaffrey who received the direct snap, faked a hand-off and was tracked down by Vernon Hargreaves before he could get the first down.

The @Buccaneers defense holds on 4th down! 💪

📺 #TBvsCAR on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/bfKAZLQZKa

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) September 13, 2019

Everyone was mystified and wondering if Newton was okay.

I’m old enough to remember when Cam Newton would have jumped over the goal line with ease on 4th down.

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) September 13, 2019

4th & Goal for the win and @Panthers chose to take the ball out of Cam Newtons hands and give it Christian McCaffrey. That speaks volumes. #WOW @nflnetwork #GamedayPrime #Truth

— Deion Sanders (@DeionSanders) September 13, 2019

If you have Cam Newton and your play call is "not a QB sneak" on 4th and 1 you're doing it horribly wrong.

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) September 13, 2019

4th and a half yard and they take him out of the play. When have we ever not just used him to get the 1st down? If he can’t be “Cam” then he’s a below average QB. Sad.

— Adam Whitten (@adamewhitten) September 13, 2019

Cam Newton: “4th and inches, you want me to sneak it? Should be easy.”

Norv Turner: “No, no, we’re running wildcat with Christian.”

Cam: “Okay…”

Norv: “I want you to act like a receiver and go deep.”

Cam: “But coach we’re at their 2 yard line.”

Norv: “I said: Go. Deep.” pic.twitter.com/Bsp8gLqfgP

— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) September 13, 2019

Didn’t QB sneak with Cam Newton on 4th and 1 again. He’s obviously not fully healthy but can’t sneak that? #CmonMan

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) September 13, 2019

I don’t care what you say, if you are 4th and 1 with the game on the line, in the red zone and Cam doesn’t run it…something isn’t right.

— Bring Back the Buzz (@BringBackTheBuz) September 13, 2019

4th & 2 at the goal line & no designed Cam run….my how times have changed #TNF

— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) September 13, 2019

4th and 1 for the game and Cam a decoy now. That’s tough

— Trill Withers (@TylerIAm) September 13, 2019

Y’all remember when Cam was a sure thing to pick up 4th & 1?

This coaching staff is next level stupid.

— Tate Marks (@TateM704) September 13, 2019

Cam Newton not running the ball on that 4th and short tells me all I need to know about what the Panthers think of his health.

— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) September 13, 2019

The Panthers obviously know how valuable Cam is in short yardage there.

He’s the only QB with over 100 sneaks since 2015 & no one is a close second.

They had chances on three separate 3rd/4th & 1s & didn’t use him.

Decipher away, but they certainly know how solid the sneak is. pic.twitter.com/I10MrgSlSE

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 13, 2019