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Top 10 Moments of the Decade in North Carolina Sports

By Christian Candeloro

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 08: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers runs onto the field during player introductions before their game against the Los Angeles Rams at Bank of America Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 08: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers runs onto the field during player introductions before their game against the Los Angeles Rams at Bank of America Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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1. Panthers defeat Cardinals to reach Super Bowl after 14-0 start

ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 27: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 27: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

There was no season that captivated the entire state of North Carolina like the Panthers run to the Super Bowl in 2015. Newton not only made the Panthers fun, but he also made football fun.

Newton was named the 2015 NFL MVP, throwing for 35 touchdowns and adding another 10 on the ground en route to leading the team to a 15-1 record.

In the playoffs, the Panthers dispatched the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round behind Newton and Luke Kuechly. The Panthers led 31-0 at halftime and had to hold off a furious comeback by Seattle to salvage a 31-24 victory.

In the NFC Championship Game, the Panthers once again jumped out to a big lead but this time didn’t take their foot off the gas. Newton hit Corey Brown for an 86-yard touchdown pass to put the Panthers up 17-0 and the team punctuated a 49-15 win with another Kuechly pick-six in the 4th quarter to seal a trip to the Super Bowl.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, the magical run ended in the Super Bowl, as the Broncos vaunted defense was able to stop Newton and Peyton Manning did just enough to beat Carolina. The team has never been able to recapture that momentum or magic in recent years and this run is likely why it is so hard to move on from Cam this offseason.

Either way, we are extremely lucky to have enjoyed this run and it will forever be one of the greatest seasons in Panthers football.

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