Cam Newton Is the Perfect MVP Candidate for the Imperfect 8-0 Panthers

CHARLOTTE — After Cam Newton jumped over a pile of very large men trying to rip his head off, his arm outstretched, reaching over the goal line and scoring, he went to retrieve the football. The Packers' Julius Peppers had other ideas.

Peppers grabbed the football and tossed it about 10 feet. Newton turned to Peppers and pointed as if to say "Oh, okay, it's like that."

Well, Julius, you know what? That's no way to treat the player who right now should be seen as the leading MVP candidate.

In a crazy, electric game that illustrated both Newton's and the Panthers' greatness, as well as their flaws, we saw Newton continue to travel his imperfect path into the MVP argument.

He is in the race. Like him or not, like his game or not. 

What you will hear is that Newton is being carried by his defense. Or his running game. Or the coaching staff. Or the tight end. Or the fans. Or the power of the sun. Or protein from yogurt. Definitely protein from yogurt.

This is the Russell Wilson Phenomenon. When Wilson wins, many say it's for other reasons than him. The same thing is happening with Newton. Then, there is extra haterade additive of how so many seem to despise Newton's preening and showmanship. Or his once alleged fake smile. To me, only a small person is bothered by another's celebrations, but hey, whatever floats your hate.

When you look deeper and really watch what Newton is doing, he is, at the very least, a top-two MVP candidate. He is the main reason there's potentially a changing of the guard in the NFC with the Panthers supplanting the Packers as the conference's best.

The Panthers' 37-29 win was a lot like Newton's and the team's season. The game was at times gorgeous and at others sloppy—like Newton. It dragged and it pulsated, and in the end, it was Newton and his uneven team remaining undefeated, holding off a furious Aaron Rodgers comeback.

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

These Panthers are great. These Panthers are imperfect. In that way, they are exactly like their quarterback, and their quarterback is like them. But most of all, they are 8-0. And I don't think they'll be beaten anytime soon, because Newton is now the most dominant all-around weapon in the NFL.

He is nicely buoyed by everyone around him, and they are propelled by him.

Newton so frustrated an initially overwhelmed Green Bay defense that there was a near brawl between Packers players on the Green Bay sideline. It looked like Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Peppers were at the crux of the brawl. But then big-ass B.J. Raji escalated things by shoving Clinton-Dix.

It's okay, Packers; this is what Newton does. He causes defenses to shake heads and point fingers. It was 37-14 Carolina with 9:22 left.

The Packers would eventually show fight on the field. Rodgers began to look like the old Aaron and made what was a blowout game a close one, making the score 37-29 with just under four minutes left.

A horrible throw by Newton—there's those flaws again—gave Green Bay a last chance. But then Rodgers was intercepted by a Panthers defense that he had fried for much of the second half. Flaws for everyone.

No, Newton isn't perfect. He misses throws. Especially with some of the short slants and medium passes. That last interception he tossed—on 1st-and-10 from the Panthers' 20 with 3:43 left—was inexcusable.

But then...he will throw the most delicious touch-pass deep. He can, many times, display the kind of touch that rivals that of any quarterback in football.

What Newton is displaying is he's a total weapon. He displays, at times, almost unfathomable moments of skill. Newton also plays far more intelligent football than he gets credit for.

Newton is an imperfect candidate on an imperfect team in an imperfect league. He's perfect.

"I think he got anxious," said Panthers coach Ron Rivera, "Then he settled in. He made plays."

Newton has also carried the Panthers to an unbeaten record with little firepower at the receiver position. This is where his MVP candidacy strengthens to hurricane force.

There are no No. 1 receivers on this team. There are no No. 2 receivers. They are a collection of 3s and 4s. They are names like Ginn and Brown and Cotchery and Funchess. They make plays, mostly, because Newton does.

Newton finished 15-of-30 for 297 yards, three touchdowns, one interception and a rating of 104.4, adding nine carries for 57 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

After the game, Newton opened his press conference thanking military veterans, since this was a day the NFL used to thank them. It was a nice moment, not a phony one, and then he summed things up perfectly about the 8-0 Panthers.

"It isn't a pretty eight," he said, "but it is eight, and that's gorgeous in itself."

Newton also explained why he tore down a Packers banner before the game began. I loved his answer.

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

"There was a Green Bay banner in Bank of America Stadium," he said. "It just doesn't match. ...I feel it's my due diligence to protect my house.

"You don't see a Whopper in a McDonald's."

Newton was slightly irritated in his press conference, knowing he can play better. When asked if this was actually the best he's run the no-huddle offense, Newton said succinctly, "No sir."

Then he later acknowledged the largest truth—the Panthers are 8-0 for the first time in team history and that means something. To me, it means a lot. It means he's up high in the MVP conversation.

The race right now is between Newton and Tom Brady, and they are leaders for different reasons. Brady is in the race because he's, well, Brady. He's also playing behind what is one of the most makeshift offensive lines in modern NFL history. So much changes around Brady, and yet he continues to be the best we've ever seen.

Newton is a candidate because he's the skilled leader of an undefeated team that would crumble without him. It is true he is flawed, maybe the most flawed candidate since Washington kicker Mark Moseley won the award in 1982.

So what, though? Newton is in the race, no matter how much some won't like it, and no matter how flawed he and the Panthers are.

When asked if he hurt his shoulder, Newton said: "I'm alright. I'm 8-0." 

Mike Freeman covers the NFL for Bleacher Report.