2015 league MVP Cam Newton wins our Air It Out Award in Week 2. After enduring a frustrating and painful (literally) Week 1 loss to the Broncos, Cam led the Carolina Panthers to 46 points and a home win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2.
Time to vote for our Week 2 #AirItOutAward. Which Week 2 passing performance was the most impressive? #RiseUp #FinsUp #JetUp #KeepPounding
— Best NFL Polls (@Best_NFL_Polls) September 20, 2016
Cam showed no lingering effects from the brutal helmet-to-helmet hits he took from the Broncos defense in Week 1. He came out firing and didn’t let up, as he threw for his fourth touchdowns with only 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter. The most surprising part of Cam’s performance is that it could’ve been even more impressive. The Panthers turned the ball over four times (1 interception, 3 fumbles lost) and still put up 46 points. Here are Cam’s impressive stat line for the day:
Cam Newton shows everyone why he is the reigning MVP. pic.twitter.com/CFXik3kIV6
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 18, 2016
Cam threw for 3,837 yards and 35 touchdowns, and ran for an additional 636 yards and 10 touchdowns last year en route to being named the 2015 league MVP. He was one of the most dominating and most exciting players to watch last year. During the offseason, fans with the Super Bowl fresh on their minds doubted Cam could repeat for another MVP season.
Congrats to #StephCurry who has now won the #KiaMVP award two years in a row. Will #CamNewton repeat as the NFL MVP?
— Best NFL Polls (@Best_NFL_Polls) May 11, 2016
But after fans got to watch Cam with Kelvin Benjamin back on the field, the polls told a different story.
First TD of 2016 is Cam Newton to Kelvin Benjamin. With Benjamin healthy will Cam be even better than last year?
— Best NFL Polls (@Best_NFL_Polls) September 9, 2016
Fans now say that Cam will be better than last year. And it’s hard to argue with the fans. Cam is currently on pace for 4,376 yards and 40 touchdowns through the air plus 728 yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground. Those passing numbers would be new career highs. Having gone most of last season without a true number one receiver, life is good for Cam with his buddy Kelvin Benjamin back on the field, and it shows in the numbers: Benjamin has accounted for 199 yards and 3 touchdowns, which puts him on track for 1,592 yards and 24 touchdowns. With a legitimate number one receiver to throw to, Cam is ready to have some fun this year.
Cam Newton is out to prove himself again after falling short in the Super Bowl. If his Week 2 performance is any indication, Super Cam is sure to give us plenty of highlights and plenty to talk about with another big year in 2016.
(Photo Credit: Bob Dannan//USA TODAY Sports)