Black and Blue Review
After he had just played Santa, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was walking through the locker room when the booing started. The heckler was linebacker Luke Kuechly, who was holding one of the Beats by Dre headphones Newton had just gifted to the whole team. Kuechly then grabbed a pair of Bose headphones from his locker and shouted “Yay!”
The playful exchange between brand ambassadors — Newton represents Beats while Kuechly is with Bose — was one of many light moments in an upbeat locker room four days before the Panthers’ biggest game of the season.
For Newton, playing in his hometown of Atlanta has a special meaning. At least, that’s something he’s admitted previously. But ahead of Sunday’s de facto NFC South title game, he’s now downplaying the significance.
“It’s just like any other game that we’ve been getting prepared for this year,” Newton said.
“Getting the win is the only thing that matters to me. All the other fluff, that’s not important to me. I just want to get the win.”
Newton has had mixed success against the Falcons in his career. In seven games, he’s tossed 11 touchdowns and added four more scores on the ground. But the Panthers have lost four of those games, including two at the Georgia Dome.
The Panthers had lost five straight in Atlanta until Week 17 last season. That win earned them the NFC South crown and a first-round playoff bye. And while everyone’s aware this year’s matchup has more at stake, Newton isn’t just giving lip service. He’s as competitive going into this game as he was in, say, Week 2 against the Lions.
“They’re all big to him. Him just saying ‘it’s just another game’ is really his way of him trying to tell you he’s keeping everything at the right level,” coach Ron Rivera said.
“He wants to win them all. He wants to perform very well in all of them, and this one is no different than any of the other ones.”
One way this week is different is the Panthers won’t be practicing on Thursday. Rivera gave his staff and players Christmas off, just like he did last year. And just like last year, Santa Cam spread the holiday cheer, hopeful the new year will bring another home playoff game.
“It’s just the season of giving,” Newton said. “Not only that, it’s celebrating life, it’s celebrating friendships, it’s celebrating the opportunity. That’s what it’s all about.”