Vintage Cam Newton – Photos from Cam’s 2010 season at Auburn

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton helped the Panthers jump all over the Cardinals from the outset, and never looked back after an impressive first half onslaught that Panther fans have become accustomed to.

Neither punter, Brad Nortman (8) for the Panthers and Drew Butler (2) for the Cardinals stood out, and each team’s coverage units need improvement.

QB Carson Palmer (3) has had perhaps the best season of his 13-year career and is in the conversation for league MVP.

FILE – In this December 20, 2015, file photo, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton calls an audible at the line of scrimmage during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, in East Rutherford…

The Carolina Panthers will be favored to beat the Denver Broncos and win the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

So good was defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ scheme that after the game, coach Gary Kubiak felt he had to give out several game balls. The favorites have won seven games straight up.

The NFC championship game kicks off at 6:40 p.m. ET.

“It hurts to lose like this, in this fashion”, said Cardinals veteran wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who was held to 30 yards receiving after gaining 176 yards last week against the Green Bay Packers.

It was a gratifying victory for Palmer, who won the Heisman at Southern California in 2002 and demanded a trade from Cincinnati after a disappointing 2010 season.

“I kept digging us in a hole we couldn’t get out of”, Palmer said.

Matt Ufford and the Uffsides crew previews the NFC Championship Game between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers. I thought that was the change in the game. However, I just feel this Arizona team is better equipped across the board. CAR, C.Newton 19-28-1-335.

“You could see that each and every day he had something there”, Cotchery said. And he did so ably, avoiding turnovers and tossing two touchdown passes.

The Panthers converted five plays later on Newton’s 1-yard touchdown leap, pushing the lead to 24-7.

“There hasn’t been a whole lot not to enjoy this season, but this is not because we just chose to play well”, Olsen said. Nothing else needs to be done or said.

“We just didn’t have it today”.

This is Carolina’s fourth time appearing in the NFC Championship and the first they’ve hosted.

During that time crews did some painting and top dressed the field. Am I concerned? Yeah.

The Broncos certainly went wild against Brady, hitting him 23 times, all the more wonderful given how quickly Brady usually gets rid of the ball.

By The Associated Press The Latest from the National Football League conference championship games Sunday.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Palmer seemed to have some butterflies during the game.

Ginn caught two passes for 52 yards and set up his own electrifying 22-yard touchdown run with a nifty 32-yard punt return. They do not expect travel plans to be affected.

Getting the ground game going will be a priority for the Cardinals, too.

Carolina’s Graham Gano (9) finished second in points with 146, but isn’t great from long range.

“We go out there and the scoreboard talks for itself”, Miller said. There is something bigger in store for the Carolina Panthers players – Super Bowl 50.