One of the oldest ways of motivating a football team is when you convince the team that somehow everybody is against them. The Carolina Panthers are one win away from their first Super Bowl, have been saying this all year and are still trying to convince themselves that this is true. Truthfully, there was some doubt by NFL experts and fans in the beginning, but why wouldn’t there be? A little over a year ago, their own fans wanted to run Ron Rivera out of town and were calling local radio shows asking if Cam Newton could be traded. What a difference a year makes. It’s truly time for the Panthers to stop playing the “us against the world” card. Here are five reasons why.
5. Cam Is Everywhere
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsIt's hard to watch a game where you don't see Cam Newton or at least highlights of something he's done. Then there's a commercial break, and he's in the majority of those too. The Panthers had quite a few prime time games for a team that finished the previous season with seven losses and a tie. Why were they in so many? Yes, they won the division, but let's not act like the NFL doesn't want its stars on television either. Newton and Manning are clearly the most endorsed of NFL athletes, and Newton was seen as such before there was a winning streak.
4. More Pro Bowlers Voted In Than Any Other Team
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Pro Bowl always has been, and always will be, a popularity contest that is voted on by the fans. This year, those fans saw fit to vote 12 members of this team to the Pro Bowl. Cam Newton came within 468 votes of being the top recipient in votes, and eight other Panthers would end up receiving the top number of votes at their respective positions. The public doesn't hate Carolina. They love them.
3. Luke Kuechly Will Win Defensive Player Of The Year
John David Mercer-USA TODAY SportsThere have been some magnificent defensive performances this year. There's something about playing well in big games, though. What's truly interesting is the fact that Charlotte isn't close to be the same level of television market as some of the larger cities, but the efforts of Luke Kuechly still manage to overshadow those of some of the other great talents in the NFL. He also led all inside linebackers in Pro Bowl voting.
2. Favored In Every Playoff Game
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY SportsLas Vegas has given this team the edge in every playoff game they've played. On Super Bowl Sunday, they will face one of the greatest defenses of the modern era. The Denver Broncos just shut down Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Rob Gronkowski, yet nobody feels they're capable of stopping Cam Newton, Ted Ginn Jr and Ron Rivera. What's even more interesting is, as the game approaches, Las Vegas has increased the spread. Who's being disrespected again?
1. Cam Newton Is A Lock For League MVP
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY SportsThe only other option for league MVP really would have been Tom Brady, but he had some rough patches this season. He also lost in the AFC Championship game to the Denver Broncos. The success of this team can't all be given to Newton, but he, without a doubt, has been the most important player on his team this year. They don't get to the last game without him. Yes, there are 13-second touchdown dances. Yes, many close to him state he's very aware of where the cameras are and when they're rolling. But honestly, there hasn't been a season like this from the quarterback position in quite some time. As football fans, let's hope it continues.
