The Carolina Panthers arent talking playoffs yet, but there is no doubt Sundays 10-9 victory against the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park has increased expectations. In that locker room after that game, you would have thought doggone Jesus came back, quarterback Cam Newton said on Wednesday. Honestly. It was that type of feeling. It was a great feeling and we want to continue having that type feeling. To keep that feeling that has come with a five-game winning streak, the Panthers (6-3) must get past perennial AFC powerhouse New England (7-2) on Monday night. It will be the first time Carolina has hosted the weeks prime-time game since 2008, also the last time the team had a winning record. Its an extremely big opportunity, Newton said. Out of respect of trying to tone it down as much as possible, but for us we need this more than anything. The Carolinas need this more than anything. The Panthers havent been in the national spotlight since losing 33-13 at home to the Arizona Cardinals in the 2008 playoffs. They went 23-41 over the next four seasons, and were 13-19 in coach Ron Riveras first two seasons. This season looked to be a repeat of that as they lost their first two games. Since then, theyve won six of seven games to move within one game of New Orleans (7-2) in the NFC South and into position for a playoff spot. So when Newton says the organization and the Carolinas -- North and South Carolina -- needs a game like this, hes not speaking off the cuff. I think Im stating the obvious when I say everyone has been fiending for a magical season, Newton said. No one wants to be a part of, no one wants to be affiliated with, mediocrity -- or something thats just bland, so to speak. For the past couple of years, we know it. The Carolina Panthers havent been the hot topic, or the hot thing in the league. That means Newton, who arrived as the top pick of the 2011 NFL draft and reigning Heisman Trophy winner, hasnt been the hot topic. But Newton was emphatic this game and season isnt about him. Weve all been waiting for this, Newton said. I dont want to make it about me, because its not about me. Its about more or less us as a team, us as a community, us as states. The more passionate we become about it the more special it will be. I dont want to get into a game where it says, Well, Cam says this is a big game between him and Tom Brady. No, I dont want the headlines to be that. Newton said he wanted the game to be about how the Panthers are preparing for a win and what it means for the Carolinas. ... People that cant even come to the game, Newton said. When they see you out it means a lot to them when they see you. I know myself, thats why I play this game. To have that type of impact on a person, you know, saying, Man, I was screaming at my TV looking at you play the game. Man, I moved for yall. Im a diehard Panthers fan. Its encouraging to hear that. Right tackle Jordan Gross, who has been with the Panthers since they selected him with the eighth pick of the 2003 draft, agreed. The last game anyone was this excited was when we lost to Arizona in the playoffs, he said. That was the beginning of kind of a rough time for this organization. Im glad for the excitement around this game. Its a lot more fun when people care. Rivera, who emphasizes on a daily basis the one-game-at-a-time approach, doesnt deny that. Its been a long road, he said. It was two tough years before we got here and its been two tough years while were here. To be in the situation we are in, to do the things we need to do, and do them the right way. thats big. The excitement is great. I talked to the players about focusing about what its really about, and that is the game. The excitement should be great for our fans and great for the city more so than anything else. We are in the spotlight and we are relevant. Thats what, as Newton reiterated, people have been waiting for. Thats why you give that extra effort, he said. Thats why you see people [staying] after practice. Thats why you see people before practice ... because its becoming important to a lot of people. This [high] were on right now, no one in that locker room wants to come down from it.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 21:50:32 +0000
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