Cam Newton’s “I’m back” moment on Sunday looked pretty simple on its face. The Panthers first took possession at the Cardinals’ 15 just 1:26 into the game, after a Haason Reddick strip-sack. On their fifth offensive snap, in went the new/old Carolina quarterback.
And in with Newton went Panthers coordinator Joe Brady’s play call—quarterback power, a run call that Newton’s executed hundreds of times. Newton took the snap, ran toward the line behind his fullback, then, lacking space there, bounced the play out to his right, and raced past the Arizona defense to the pylon to give Carolina a 7–0 lead.