Maturing Cam Newton, Potent Panthers Offense Look to Dominate NFC South

The troublesome Carolina Panthers preseason, one which saw Cam Newton suffer a hairline fracture to his rib in Week 3 and look slow to develop chemistry with his stable of new receivers, couldn't seem farther away now. 

The support Newton received from the rib protector by Unequal Tech he wore was second only to the support he got from his cast of offensive weapons. After missing the final week of the preseason and Week 1, it seemed like Newton hadn't had time and the necessary reps to develop chemistry with rookie Kelvin Benjamin and free-agent additions Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant.

But Newton, who demonstrated improved decision-making and increased maturity in his season start, fell into an easy rhythm leading Carolina to its 24-7 dismantling of the Detroit Lions. He completed passes to seven different receivers, hitting tight end Greg Olsen, Avant, Benjamin and running back Jonathan Stewart for receptions of more than 20 yards. 

Though only six of the Panthers' 24 points were a direct result of Newton's arm, the ground game, led by Stewart and Newton himself, helped to set up the passing attack. If he was a little rusty to start on the first two drives of the game, Newton had shaken it off by the Panthers' third series, during which he went 7-of-10 for 76 yards and rushed for another 13. 

He was 22-of-34 on the day for 281 yards and a score, with 19 rushing yards. 

QTR	Poss.	Yard	Plays	Yards	Result
2	06:04	CAR 12	14	77	Field Goal
2	02:06	CAR 39	6	26	Field Goal
3	03:21	CAR 28	8	72	Touchdown
4	04:53	CAR 30	9	70	Touchdown
4	02:31	DET 33	5	13	Field Goal

On his touchdown series that culminated in the 14-yard touchdown to Avant, Newton led a drive of 72 yards over just eight plays on a 3:21 drive. 

This season marks Newton's second year in offensive coordinator Mike Shula's system. In 2013, Shula made some adjustments to Newton's game that helped him, including instituting a more conventional offense that asked him to scramble less and improve his pocket presence. That shift resulted in Newton's career-best completion percentage of 61.7 in 2013. 

Newton was still mobile on Sunday, and that won't ever change. It's a fundamental element of his playing style. But head coach Ron Rivera would like to see less poor decision-making on scrambles. 

Newton did dive head first on one of his four rushes on Sunday, but rather than chalk that up to recklessness, it could be that he didn't want to slide on his surgically repaired ankle. After he had the ankle surgery in March, Newton missed nearly all of OTAs recovering and was barred from running any read-option plays until the final week of training camp, according to a report by Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer. 

There were times Sunday, like the dive and on a couple throws, where Newton still seemed to be favoring the ankle. But as Rivera said during the preseason, in some ways the ankle injury has helped Newton mature into a better quarterback.

"In an interesting way, this might have been the best thing to happen to him in terms of his pure quarterbacking development," Rivera said in late August, via David Newton of ESPN.com. "He's had to stay in the pocket. He's had to have good footwork. He's had to step into his throws." 

That improved pocket presence was apparent on Sunday, as Newton attempted 34 throws, including 19 to his three new receivers in Avant, Cotchery and Benjamin. He averaged 29.5 attempts per game last season.

Olsen was Newton's favorite target on Sunday, and he brought in six of the eight balls that came his way for 72 yards, making him the leading receiver for Carolina. Olsen's veteran presence and experience with Newton are likely part of what allowed the Panthers to release Steve Smith and elect not to re-sign Brandon LaFell. As Newton continues to develop chemistry with their replacements, Olsen is a sure target. 

That chemistry between Newton and Benjamin was one of the most-discussed storylines during Panthers' training camp, and it still appears to be developing. Though Newton targeted Benjamin eight times, he only hauled in two catches, though it's worth noting that they were for 24 and 22 yards and one was an unbelievable one-handed back-shoulder grab.

Benjamin's potential was on full display in Week 1 with backup Derek Anderson, when he had six receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown, so it's safe to say he and Newton will get there with more practice reps. 

Newton managed to overcome five sacks against Detroit, but for this team to contend for the division title, the offensive line play needs to improve. After a massive reshuffling this offseason, the pass protection looked questionable this preseason, but Anderson only took one sack against Tampa Bay, and Pro Football Focus (subscription required) awarded the Panthers the second-highest pass-blocking efficiency rating after Week 1. 

That rating will likely decrease after this week, but the positive is that Newton was hardly fazed by the knockdowns. 

With the win, the Panthers improve to 2-0 on the season and lead the NFC South, one game ahead of the 1-1 Atlanta Falcons and two games ahead of the New Orleans Saints, who were dealt a stunning loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. 

Newton and his receivers are only going to fall into a better rhythm as the season progresses and they get more reps together, which puts the rest of the NFC South on notice.