Carolina Panthers

3 reasons why the Carolina Panthers can win the Super Bowl

Published Jan. 5, 2016 11:51 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

Super-Cam

The Panthers' Super Bowl hopes start with the league's frontrunner to win Most Valuable Player honors. Already a prolific runner in his first four NFL seasons, Newton came into his own as a passer this year despite losing his top target from a year ago (wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin) to a season-ending knee injury last August during training camp. Newton posted career highs in quarterback rating (99.4) and touchdowns (35) while reducing his interceptions to a career-low 10. He also matured as a team leader and helped carry the Panthers to an NFL-best 14-0 record before Carolina suffered its first loss.

Nine other Pro Bowl selections

The Panthers are hardly a one-man band with Newton, especially on defense. Cornerback Josh Norman, defensive tackle Kawann Short, and linebackers Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly are among the top players -- if not the best -- at their positions across the league. The quartet highlights a unit that surrendered an average of 4.9 yards a play during the regular season, which is tied with Seattle for the league's lowest total behind Denver (4.4).

Home sweet home

Securing the NFC's No. 1 seed could be what pushes the Panthers into their first Super Bowl since the 2003 season. Carolina has won an NFL-high 11 consecutive games at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.