Newton was right about one thing: Those were big words to say. It’s apropos that the 2016 season will start the way the 2015 season ended.
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Rivera isn’t thrilled the Panthers open the season on a Thursday night against Miller and company in Denver.
However familiar or different the game may feel to each individual player, the anticipation of the season is universal. The Broncos may have won the Super Bowl but the Panthers are likely to win this game. This time around should be different however.
“Benji’s coming back with a vengeance – and I mean it”, Newton said earlier this offseason.
But heading into Thursday, their situation at the position is much brighter. Eli will have his way with this defense throwing three touchdowns two of which find OBJ as he tallies over 100 yards on ten catches and two touchdowns. Last year Carolina had the number one offense and this year may be a repeat of that luxurious stat. And there’s no All-Pro defender Josh Norman either. We have a whole new season to look forward to.
The former St Louis Ram has probably thrown up more questions than answers over recent seasons but he is a regular starter with a strong arm who puts them right back in the Super Bowl argument – he has to, as the move cost the Vikings a first-round draft pick next year and a fourth-round selection in 2018.
The Broncos’ newest starting quarterback, Trevor Siemian, understands the challenge for the offense to get the game plan hammered down before Thursday.
Numerous practice team players arrived late because they’d just gotten their paperwork done.
This is a rematch of the Super Bowl 50 in which the Broncos dominated the game without giving any chance for the Panthers to pull off a rally. But still, the inexperienced quarterback could be somewhat of a hindrance.
It’s just the second time two teams that played for a Super Bowl met in the season opener, and the implications of a high caliber game aren’t lost in the Panthers locker room.
The Cincinnati Bengals have an wonderful defense that can be as dominating as any in the game. Still, the Panthers had to face the Broncos on their own field at some point this year.
Even still, Cam Newton was very upset after that loss and National Football League fans may recall him walking off during the postgame interview. He named such athletes as Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter and LeBron James as being guys you associate with being some of the greatest in their respective sports, and I have no doubt in my mind that Newton could one day join such a list. “We’re just going to go out there and play our brand of football, Broncos football and come away with a W”.
But that’s not the only thing the Panthers are hoping to improve upon against the Broncos on offense.
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Buccaneers @ Falcons: Both these teams will try to dethrone the Panthers in the NFC South but it all starts here in week 1.
