“DSC09641” (CC BY 2.0) by Arnie Papp
It was a case of so close yet so far for Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers last season as Ron Rivera’s men fell agonisingly short against the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. The Panthers had won 15 of their 16 regular season fixtures – losing just once to NFC South rivals Atlanta Falcons – but couldn’t manage to topple Peyton Manning (and more importantly Von Miller) in the final match of his illustrious NFL career.
However, that defeat could spur Carolina on this time around. Newton was voted as the regular season Most Valuable Player but the Panthers quarterback failed in his bid to lead Carolina to a first Super Bowl title. If anyone has the mental strength to bounce back and forget about the squad’s shortcomings in last year’s Super Bowl, it is “Super Cam” – he is a genetic freak and boasts the ultimate blend of skills to succeed as an NFL quarterback.
Rivera’s men performed admirably on defense but the leading offense in the NFL for 2015 failed to raise their game on the big stage. During the regular season, Carolina averaged 31.3 points per game and Newton’s impact was crucial. If “Super Cam” is determined to lead the Panthers back to the Super Bowl, Carolina could be about to shatter last year’s mean total. After all, the return of Kelvin Benjamin will give Newton another dangerous weapon to use when required.
As of August 15th, the Panthers are priced at 9/1 in NFL odds at Paddy Power and many punters will fancy Carolina to go one better this season. Although highly rated cornerback Josh Norman has now left the franchise, Rivera’s men managed to sign some of their key players to long-term contracts in the offseason – and the Panthers will be there or thereabouts in the hunt for the NFC title. Home advantage could be crucial; just as it was last year…
The Carolina Panthers have clinched the top seed in the NFC and will have home-field advantage throughout the @NFL playoffs. #SuperBowl50
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) January 4, 2016
Carolina’s defense is widely regarded as one of the best in the National Football League and Rivera will be desperate to “keep pounding” up front this season. The Panthers are blessed with talent on the defensive line; which helps to keep opposing quarterbacks in check whilst in the pocket. If nothing else, the pressure can force mistakes and Carolina’s ball-hawking secondary will be looking to make plenty of positive plays again this season – even without the likes of Norman and Charles Tillman.
With Newton in fine form, anything is possible. The sky truly is the limit for Carolina this season and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the Panthers walk the division again in 2016. And with their defensive front intact, a bit of luck on the injury front and Rivera’s unique scheme, the Super Bowl remains a genuine possibility. Write them off at your peril…
“Cam Newton” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Keith Allison
