It’s fitting that Carson Palmer will lead his Arizona Cardinals into Bank of America Stadium to face the NFC’s number one seed Carolina Panthers and MVP front runner Cam Newton as the second game of the NFL’s conference championship Sunday double header.

After all, the main event should follow the undercard.

While Brady and Manning are stealing all of the headlines, Palmer and Newton will make history as the first time Heisman Trophy winners battle in an NFL postseason game.

They are also number one overall picks and lead the top two scoring offences in the league.

Newton’s numbers were eye popping, as he led the Panthers to a 15-1 record, the NFC South title and the number one seed in the conference.  He threw 3,837 yards and 35 touchdowns along with a career low 10 interceptions for an impressive 99.4 passer rating. 

Numbers that look even more impressive when you factor in a receiving group that includes Ted Ginn Jr., Corey Brown and Jerricho Cotchery, serviceable players that would not have been looked at as elite heading into the season.

The 26-year old also did significant damage on the ground, rushing for 10 majors and adding an additional 636 yards to the running game.

"I don't get nervous," said Newton. "I've been playing football for too long for me to get nervous. I used to dream of being in this type of position."

Newton was electric in the first half of last week’s divisional round game against the Seattle Seahawks helping his team build a 31-0 lead which they clung to for dear life in the second half, hanging on for a 31-24 victory and berth in the championship game.

“The play of our quarterback has been special,” said Rivera. “I didn’t know if we’d ever be like that, but it sure has been fun.”

Palmer, also in the MVP conversation, dealt with injuries in the backfield all season but still led the Cardinals to the NFC West crown and a 13-3 record.  After only playing six games the previous season, he posted 4, 671 yards and 35 touchdowns both career high totals.

The 36-year-old connected with Larry Fitzgerald in overtime against the Green Bay Packers for 75 yards setting up the winning score to put them in the NFC title game.

“I think he displayed why he’s an MVP candidate, and a guy who’s so respected around this league,” Fitzgerald said about Palmer.  “He comes out and throws three touchdowns and leads us in the second half with the way he performed. He made some great plays and got out of pressure. That’s the kind of leader we’re all going to follow.”

Along with Fitzgerald, Palmer had great aerial weapons like Michael Floyd. John Brown. Jaron Brown and J.J. Nelson, a group of players that allow Palmer to play short or go long with an incredible depth of skill.