The Panthers are off to an 8-0 start, which has helped generate some talk about quarterback Cam Newton being a contender for league MVP this season.
There’s a long way to go before that award is handed out and other strong choices at this point in the season, but Newton did rise above the competition for one honor. Newton has been named the NFC offensive player of the week for his performance against the Packers in Week Nine.
Newton was 15-of-30 for 297 yards through the air and ran for 57 yards on nine carries in the 37-29 win. He threw for three touchdowns and ran for one in the win, which gave the Panthers a two-game lead over their closest competition for home field advantage in the NFC playoffs.
There are certainly quarterbacks with passing numbers more eye-popping than the ones Newton has produced this season, but there aren’t many players asked to do as much for their teams as the Panthers ask of Newton. That’s worked out very well for them so far this season and the weekly honor recognizes how much that effort meant to the team last Sunday.