This was supposed to be the season that Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers took the next step from fringe contender to a legit Super Bowl team.
But a season ending injury to budding superstar Kelvin Benjamin, Cam’s No. 1 wide receiver, has dampened those expectations.
At least on paper.
In reality, Carolina and Cam are very much contenders for a Super Bowl in 2015, thanks in part, ironically, to injuries and turnover from the other playoff teams from the conference last season.
Dallas has the offense, but their running game remains a huge question. Green Bay is without Jordy Nelson for the season, meaning Randall Cobb will have to assume the No. 1 role now. Seattle added Jimmy Graham, but also lost key pieces on their offensive line, as well as the question of whether they’ll have a Super Bowl hangover (doubt it).
A healthy Carolina team is a top team in the NFC, but without Benjamin, the focus has shifted all to Cam Newton.
This will be the first time he’s ever played in the league without a No. 1 wide receiver (Smith Smith and Benjamin), so the pressure is on Newton to get Carolina over the hump. Another under .500 season that ends in a division title is highly unlikely.
Cam has progressed as a quarterback since his rookie season in 2011, and the loss in Seattle, at least to Guru QB, signified that he was headed in the right direction. Now he’ll have to adjust to a new set of receivers, and a new rookie trying to take Benjamin’s place (Devin Funchess).
All eyes are on Cam, then again, they’ve never really left either.
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