Panthers pound out impressive season leading into 2016 – WSOC TV

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers’ impressive season has electrified the city of Charlotte and fans across the country, even though their perfect season was spoiled Sunday by the Atlanta Falcons.

However, the Panthers are still focused on the ultimate goal -- a Super Bowl championship.

The Panthers started the season with four straight wins behind the play of cornerback Josh Norman, who scored two defensive touchdowns and sealed the win against New Orleans with a spectacular interception.

But the first signature win was in Seattle when quarterback Cam Newton threw to tight end Greg Olsen for a touchdown that lifted the Panthers to their fifth straight win.

"We're a good team, too," Newton said. "It's just time for us to keep going."

Then they had a trio of impressive wins including a Monday night overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts.

"We just kept fighting, fighting and pounding, pounding, pounding,” Norman said. “I can't say enough, brother.”

The Panthers won their next three games by an average of 21 points per game including their Thanksgiving day romp over Dallas that pushed their record to 11-0.

“There are still a lot of things for us to accomplish,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “A lot of things for us to do it's nice to be in our situation.”

A come-from-behind win over the Saints in week 13 clinched a third straight NFC South championship.

The Panthers then demolished Atlanta 38-0 to set a franchise record for regular season wins in a season with 13.

"That's kind of been our mentality," linebacker Luke Kuechly said. "Every game this year is play the play. Play one game at a time and everything will take care of itself."
In week 14, the physical battle between Norman and New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. dominated the headlines more so than the game itself

The Panthers surrendered 28 straight points in the second half of that game, but were still able to kick a game-winning field goal as time expired.

But the dream of a perfect season ended in Atlanta when the Panthers played their worst game of the regular season allowing a team they beat by 38 points two weeks prior, ending their undefeated run.

“It's not the end of our season, but it's the end of that streak and now it’s time for us to do our jobs and try to start another one,” outside linebacker Thomas Davis said.

The Panthers end the regular season in Charlotte Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A win would clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

WSOC