Gil Brandt: Cam Newton pushing Panthers with MVP-caliber performance...

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Cam Newton pushing Panthers with MVP-caliber performance

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Heading into the 2015 NFL season, things looked fairly grim for the Carolina Panthers' offense.

Receiver Kelvin Benjamin, coming off a promising rookie season, was lost for the year with a torn ACL in August, leaving an already questionable receiver depth chart looking very shaky. Sure, Carolina had two-time Pro Bowler Cam Newton at quarterback, but aside from tight end Greg Olsen, who was he going to throw to? Untested rookie Devin Funchess? Ted Ginn, who averaged 26 catches and 349 yards over eight previous seasons? Second-year pro Philly Brown, who'd failed to crack the 300-yard mark in 2014? Twelfth-year pro Jerricho Cotchery, who's topped 1,000 yards just once -- in 2007? Former practice-squad player Brenton Bersin? Former Seahawk Kevin Norwood, who'd managed just nine catches for 102 yards as a rookie in 2014?

And yet, Newton and the Panthers are 3-0 and tied for first in the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons.

Yes, the defense -- which ranks seventh overall -- has played a large role in the team's success. But the fact is, Newton has basically been responsible for all of the Panthers' offense, generating 76 percent of their offensive yards -- 792 of 1,044 -- and seven (five passing, two rushing) of their eight total touchdowns. Despite the lackluster receiving corps, they rank a respectable 16th in total offense. And I think the Panthers' 100 Million Dollar Man has proven himself to be the most valuable player in the NFL -- at least, in terms of value to his team -- through Week 3.

How's he doing it? I've listed five reasons below.

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1) He seems to have stepped up as a leader.
2) His work habits are translating to on-field success.
3) He's better at running the offense.
4) He's throwing the ball with more touch.
5) He's a smarter, more dangerous runner.

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Conclusion

This is a one-horse team. Stewart is a decent runner and Olsen is a good pass-catching tight end, but beyond that, the Panthers haven't given Newton much to work with. Carolina's defense is definitely an advantage, as illustrated by Josh Norman's penchant for making clutch interceptions, but the defense can't play quarterback. If it weren't for Newton, this team would struggle to put up 100 yards per game, and there's certainly little chance the Panthers would be undefeated. Tom Brady -- who has put up unreal numbers -- might give Newton a run for his money in terms of being the NFL's MVP through three weeks. But in my mind, Newton has been the more valuable player, especially when you take into account the high level of performance and the extreme dearth of supporting weapons.

Is Newton as good a passer as, say, Aaron Rodgers? No. But I think he's as good a runner as any quarterback in the NFL. When you combine that skill with Newton's improvements as a passer, he's going to be tough to stop. I think the Panthers are going to make the playoffs, and if Newton plays well throughout the season, I could see him building a legitimate case to be the NFL MVP. After all, that award should go to the guy who did the most to lift his team up -- and no one's being asked to do as much lifting as Newton.

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