For the Carolina Panthers to contend for the playoffs this season, here are the five players who can help make that happen:
Cam Newton, quarterback: Though "Keep Pounding" is the motto around Bank of America Stadium, "As Cam goes so go the Panthers" also is significant. The defense consistently has been among the top 10 in the NFL over the past five seasons, so it all comes down to how Newton performs. When he plays at the level he did in 2015, when he threw a career-best 35 touchdown passes, the Panthers are almost unstoppable.