Merriman: Newton Is 'A Spark' But 'Not the Answer Long-Term'

Former NFL Pro Bowler Shawne Merriman returns to give his Week 11 picks and review the biggest NFL betting storylines this week.

We discuss Cam Newton’s return in Carolina, the Teddy Bridgewater controversy and why the Detroit Lions will win their first game of the season.

Newton is Back

Gambling.com: Carolina quarterback Cam Newton returned to the Panthers to score two touchdowns in the win over the Arizona Cardinals. What impact can he have on the team?

Shawne Merriman: This is one thing I say about Cam: Cam has a very infectious personality when he's happy and things are going well. When things are not going well, it also works against him, too, and he has the opposite of having an infectious personality. You can tell that the morale of the team was just better with Cam being there. But it can also work to his disadvantage. He said himself it's his aura, that's why he didn't get picked up. He just he's such a big personality person that it can be great for a team or it can be s---ty for a team. It can be either one.

GDC: Do you think he should be their quarterback going forward?

SM: I still think you have to bring in somebody for the future. No matter what. Sam Donald is not it. I think the Sam Darnold experiment is done, but Cam is not the answer long-term. Cam is a lightning rod, a spark, or something they need in the locker room.

No Effort Teddy

GDC: Denver quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is getting criticism for his lack of effort on a tackle attempt that led to a Philadelphia touchdown. What was your take on the play?

SM: Horses--t. I don’t think I've ever seen a lack of effort in the NFL that bad.

GDC: What do you think the defensive guys and his teammates feel about it?

SM: They can’t have the whole team together while they watch that clip. I couldn’t imagine walking around that locker room and not saying something to him.

Will Real Chiefs Stand?

GDC: We saw the return of the explosive Kansas City Chiefs offense. Do you think they’re back to being a contender?

SM: I just don't think the Raiders looked good. But I need (Kansas City) to beat a Tennessee and need them to beat somebody playing extremely well for me to say, ‘OK, they’re back.’ Beating the Raiders, to me, is not showing they’re back to what they should be or what they have been.

When everybody’s clicking, they’re the most explosive team in football. It's when they’re not, they look like one of the worst teams in football, and you can't have that situation. Being a great team, you can't go out and just s--t the bed. You know, you're gonna have some games where you'll lose some games, tough games. That happens. That’s the NFL. But they either look great, or they look terrible, and you can't do that.

Not Backing Up the Talk

GDC: New York Jets quarterback Mike White said earlier in the week he should have been the No. 1 overall pick. The Jets then went on to get destroyed by the Bills. Do you think confidence like that is a good thing?

SM: No, it bites you in the ass, especially at the quarterback position. The reason why you can't be cocky at the quarterback position is because some games you're just going to play bad. If a defensive end, cornerback or wide receiver is cocky or something like that, it makes me less worried. But when you got the quarterback that’s cocky and talking outlandish like that, it’s a recipe for disaster.

Rams Struggling

GDC: Second week in a row we saw the Los Angeles Rams struggle after now adding Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. What needs to change for them and how long will it take before it starts to come together for them?

SM: First of all, I need everybody to just stop. Just because they added Von Miller, and just because they added Odell Beckham, does not make them a championship-caliber team. We've seen a bunch of super teams go and stink it up, so anybody that's thinking that Odell Beckham was just going to get on the field and they're now guaranteed Super Bowl contenders, they lost their minds. Football doesn't work that way.

Stifling Chargers Need Wins

GDC: The loss to the Minnesota Vikings was the third in their last four games for the Chargers. Any cause for concern?

SM: How many rushing yards they give up?

GDC: They only gave up 103.

SM: But look at what you said. ‘Not as bad,’ and they still had over 100 yards. Do you see what I’m saying? That’s the point they’re at right now, where giving up just 103 yards is a good thing because they’ve been bad at that. Something has to change. There has to be some kind of movement to shake things up and it has to happen now, because that is too good of a damn team to be in the position they are right now.

And I’m tired of hearing 'The same ol’ Chargers,’ but this is not the same Chargers team, except it looks like it when they are not finishing games, so they have to do something to shake things up on the defensive line.

Mock Dance Off

GDC: We saw Seattle safety Jamal Adams do Aaron Rodgers’ belt celebration after he picked him off. Did you ever do anyone’s signature celebrations after making a big play?

SM: Oh yeah. I remember playing the Steelers and I sacked Ben Roethlisberger, and I did Joey Porter’s kick and then did my lights out dance. Joey Porter was one of my favorite players, and that kick was just awesome. It was a Sunday night game, and I ran halfway to the sideline, did a kick and the lights out dance.

On To The Picks

Here are Shawne’s picks for the week. All moneyline odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook.

New England Patriots (-280) at Atlanta Falcons (+225)

SM: I’m taking the Patriots. Everyone wants to call (New England quarterback) Mac Jones a superstar and riding him now, but I’m not picking anyone. I truly believe the AFC is completely wide open.

Green Bay Packers (-135) at Minnesota Vikings (+115)

SM: I’m taking the Packers. That defense for the Green Bay Packers is allowing them to do what they need to do on offense. They're not even getting as much credit. I mean, obviously Aaron Rodgers is there and all the stuff going on with him and he's one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and all that, but it’s been that defense and the way they've been able to get after the quarterback and create turnovers. And if you asked me the personality of the Green Bay Packers and who they are, I will start talking about that defense first before Aaron Rodgers.

Indianapolis Colts (+245) at Buffalo Bills (-310)

SM: I’m going with the Bills.

Baltimore Ravens (-255) at Chicago Bears (+205)

SM: Taking the Ravens. I’m not gonna lie, Lamar Jackson looked shook (in the loss to the Miami Dolphins). They’re not putting up points. They just looked shook on offense.

Detroit Lions (+385) at Cleveland Browns (-500)

SM: I believe the Lions get their first victory. They’re playing tough. If they’re going to get their one or two wins this season, I think it’s coming against the Browns. I like the attitude of head coach Dan Campbell. Their personality and passion and willingness to fight back is what I like. No matter what their record is, you’re not going to just walk all over them. They’ll play you and fight you for 60 minutes.

Houston Texans (+340) at Tennessee Titans (-450)

SM: Titans. What (head coach) Mike Vrabel is doing there with so many players on the IR is something that should be noted and is not big enough. Between him and (Baltimore coach) Jim Harbaugh, coach of the year could go to either of them depending on how the season ends up. One of them two, after Week 5 or 6, I thought would win coach of the year.

Miami Dolphins (-170) at New York Jets (+150)

SM: Going with the Dolphins.

New Orleans Saints (+100) at Philadelphia Eagles (-120)

SM: (New Orleans quarterback Trevor) Siemian had some balls that looked good last week. I’m going to go with the Saints. I haven’t seen enough out of him, but going with the Saints because of more of who they are playing.

Washington Football Team (+155) at Carolina Panthers (-180)

SM: I’m taking the Panthers. If I’m them, I wouldn’t switch anything up right now. I would keep Cam as a backup as a spark. I’d keep P.J. Walker as the starter unless he really stinks it up, but right now, I wouldn’t do anything. I wouldn’t start Cam at all.

San Francisco 49ers (-255) at Jacksonville Jaguars (+205)

SM: 49ers.

Dallas Cowboys (+120) at Kansas City Chiefs (-140)

SM: I’m taking the Cowboys. I think it’s going to be a 38-31 game or something like that. I believe it goes over 60.

Cincinnati Bengals (-115) at Las Vegas Raiders (-105)

SM: Bengals.

Arizona Cardinals (-130) at Seattle Seahawks (+110)

SM: I’m still going with the Cardinals, even with the injuries. (Seattle) should be concerned now. The rest of the division, like the 49ers, are playing well now.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+205) at Los Angeles Chargers (-255)

SM: I’m going with my Chargers. Whether Ben plays or not, I’m going with them.

New York Giants (+400) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-550)

SM: Bucs. But this is the point of the year where if age will ever play a factor in Tom Brady’s year, it’s going to be in this second half of the season. I need to see one or two more (bad) games and that would really prove my point.