This weekend delivered several compelling and intense matchups, both at the collegiate and professional levels. On one side were the Buffalo Bills, led offensively by Josh Allen; on the other, the Miami Hurricanes, attempting to spring an upset against the heavily favored Indiana Hoosiers.
In the end, both Buffalo and Miami fell to the Denver Broncos and the Indiana Hoosiers. On one hand, it was the Bills’ mistakes and Allen’s errors more than the opponents’ execution. On the other side of the coin, Fernando Mendoza proved to be far too much for his rivals, and while Carson Beck did solid work, it ultimately was not enough.
With that context in mind, NFL passer Cam Newton offered his analysis of what he saw in both games, focusing particular attention on the signal callers of the losing teams: Josh Allen and Carson Beck.
Praise and poison in a single Cam Newton verdict on Carson Beck and Josh Allen
For Cam Newton, the performance delivered by the young Miami Hurricanes quarterback, Carson Beck was spectacular. From his perspective, the youngster understands how to manage pressure and respond to it in the best possible way, maintaining composure when moments demand clarity and confidence.
From Josh Allen’s side, however, the evaluation was very different. In Newton’s view, Allen is making too many mistakes, and when comparing the two quarterbacks-one who is just approaching the NFL and another with vast experience, including an MVP award in 2024-the veteran professional comes out on the worse end of the assessment.
How we judge great quarterbacks is by two things, and two things only.”…”How you play late in the season, and how you play late in the game. We judge quarterbacks by how they play late, whenever that late is.
The former NFL player, on his podcast 4th & 1, released its latest episode this past Tuesday, January 20, 2026, and he added.
Don’t tell me you’re a great quarterback in the first quarter, second quarter, and third quarter, and all of a sudden in the fourth quarter, when we need you to lock in the most, you’re not great. For the most part, consistently, Carson Beck hasn’t shown that. That doesn’t make him a bad player. As I mentioned earlier, regarding Josh Allen today. He’s just not clutch.
Carson Beck and Josh Allen
The Miami Hurricanes passer spent five seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs, and in January 2025, he transferred to the university where he played in the championship final for his final year of eligibility. During that span, he recorded a total of 3,818 yards with 30 touchdowns, and he is expected to be ready this year to leap to the NFL.
Meanwhile, Josh Allen has spent eight years in the NFL, with seven postseason appearances, yet never reached the Super Bowl.
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