10 reasons to look forward to Cam Newton vs. Carson Palmer on Sunday

While Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady is probably the biggest storyline of this year's NFL conference championship games, Sunday's other quarterback matchup could be just as exciting.

While Peyton Manning's meeting with Tom Brady is probably the biggest storyline of this year's NFL conference championship games, Sunday's other quarterback matchup could be just as exciting. 

When Cam Newton and Carson Palmer take the field on Sunday, both will be looking to earn a trip to the Super Bowl for the first time in their careers. Both quarterbacks just finished career years: Palmer posted career-bests in passing yards (4,671) and touchdowns (35) this season, while Newton also managed career–highs in touchdown passes (35) and passer rating (99.2). Both are playing largely mistake–free football too, with Palmer throwing 11 interceptions this season and Newton throwing 10, both career–lows in seasons with at least 13 games. Not bad for the supposedly second–tier quarterback matchup of the weekend. 

As the Panthers and Cardinals prepare to face off in the NFC Championship Game, here are a few reasons you should be looking forward to Sunday's duel between Newton and Palmer. 

First playoff QB matchup between Heisman winners

Mark Lennihan/AP Images

Thirty-one quarterbacks have won the Heisman Trophy since it became college football’s top honor in 1935, but not once have two of those quarterbacks played each other in the NFL playoffs. 

In 2002, Palmer completed 309 of 489 passes for 3,942 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as USC went 11–2 and finished fourth in the final AP poll. Newton dominated college football in his one season at Auburn, leading the Tigers to a 14–0 record and the 2010 BCS National Championship. He finished that season with 2,854 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He may have been even more of a force on the ground, rushing for 1,586 yards and 24 touchdowns. 

Only two Heisman–winning quarterbacks have ever won a Super Bowl: Roger Staubach and Jim Plunkett. Barring an injury, one Heisman winner will be quarterbacking a team at Super Bowl 50. 

Both were No. 1 draft picks

Ed Betz/AP, Stephen Chernin/AP

After stellar college careers, Palmer was taken with the first pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003, while Newton was drafted by the Panthers in 2011.

Cam Newton can thread the needle

Cam Newton is very good. pic.twitter.com/8OvVr2uf9x

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 13, 2015

Carson Palmer gets to throw to Larry Fitzgerald

....and Michael Floyd

Cam Newton runs like a tailback

Cam Newton doesn't just throw footballs, either

Both quarterbacks are extremely fashionable

The birthday boy, Carson Palmer, lost the weekly QB bet. Check out more on our Snapchat.

👻: SnapAZCardinals pic.twitter.com/HVEIerce6N

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 27, 2015

Phelan Ebenhack/AP Images

The animal motif is back for Cam Newton pic.twitter.com/2BJLvknNdt

— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) December 13, 2015

Cam Newton knows how to celebrate

Carson Palmer is still working on his celebrations

Carson Palmer puts the Cardinals ahead 19-13, but eats it on the spike: pic.twitter.com/1hlqrqSlxZ

— KNBR (@KNBR) November 29, 2015

The Panthers will host the Cardinals at 6:40 p.m. ET on Sunday.