CHARLOTTE – Two plays. Only one quarterback capable of them.
Cam Newton produced 335 passing yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 117.4 in the NFC Championship. His growth as a lethal pocket passer was on full display.
But back-to-back runs in the third quarter put an exclamation point on the jaw-dropping talent that Newton possesses.
"People being able to see it on this stage – I think the appreciation for his talent is growing," wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said. "He offers so much as a quarterback. Nobody has done it like this.
"Instead of trying to compare him to all of these other quarterbacks, just look at him and look at his skill set and look at what he's doing."
Look at what he did on third-and-10 with 2:49 remaining in the third quarter.
The Panthers, leading 27-7, called a power run for their 6-5, 245-pound quarterback. Cotchery laughed just hearing the situation recounted to him.
Newton didn't like what he saw between the hashes, so he bounced it outside to the right. Cardinals safety Chris Clemons made contact with him five yards short of the first-down marker, so Newton stiff-armed Clemons and lowered his shoulder, powering through the safety to fall forward for 11 yards. A back-breaking first down if there ever was one.
"Just find ways to win the football game," Newton said modestly after the game.
Offensive coordinator Mike Shula called Newton's number again on the next play. Newton took the shotgun snap, avoided defensive tackle Ed Stinson and ran right behind pulling linemen Ryan Kalil and Trai Turner.
Newton charged down the sideline. When he got to the 3-yard line, he launched into the air and somersaulted over Kalil for a 12-yard touchdown.
"Those two plays there – he's the only quarterback in the league who is doing that," tight end Greg Olsen said. "That sums him up. He's different. He's a special guy. What more can you say?"
After the game, Arizona head coach Bruce Arians was asked if Newton did anything that surprised him.
"Nothing," Arians said.
A bulldozing 11-yard run on third-and-10? No surprise. A flip into the end zone for a 12-yard score on the next play? Typical of Carolina's dynamic quarterback.
What we saw from Newton in the NFC Championship is his norm. It's what's expected, especially from the man himself.
"When you're put in a situation like this, a big game, you played it out so many times in your mind, so when you run a touchdown, when you throw, when you're flipping into the end zone, it's kind of like that dream has now become the reality," Newton said. "And yeah, it may be a surprise to so many people, but that's how I envisioned it in the dream."
Newton's dream of playing in the Super Bowl is about to become reality. Look out.
View photos from Cam Newton's career in Carolina from his rookie year in 2011 through 2019. Newton is Carolina's all-time leader in nearly every quarterback statistical category.
Carolina Panthers celebrate after defeating the Arizona Cardinals to win the NFC Conference Championship
Cam Newton visits various locations around Charlotte during his annual Santa Cam's Surprise Sleigh on Tuesday, December 11, 2018.
Cam Newton runs for a touchdown during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Cam Newton celebrates a touchdown during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Cam Newton celebrates after a touchdown during the game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, at Bank of America Stadium.
Cam Newton Carolina Panthers against Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, September 9, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey celebrates a touchdown with Cam Newton against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Cam Newton passes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Cam Newton visits the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club on Marsh Road on November 12, 2018.
Cam Newton and Julius Peppers laugh on the sidelines during a week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018.
Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) dives for the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton celebrates a touchdown in the endzone against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Nov 4, 2018.
Cam Newton gives away a football and bracelet to fans during a week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018.
Cam Newton smiles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Nov 4, 2018.
Cam Newton looks to pass during a week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018.
Cam Newton and Thomas Davis travel for their game against Washington on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018.
Cam Newton (1) looks for a fan to give the ball away to after scoring against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton leaps in the air as he rushes the ball during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
Cam Newton scores a touchdown during a week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018.
Cam Newton during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, September 23, 2018.
Cam Newton Carolina Panthers against Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, September 9, 2018.
Steve Smith visits Cam Newton during Panthers practice on Thursday, September 6, 2018.
Cam Newton passes during a game against the New Orleans Saints in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
Cam Newton during the Carolina Panthers game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October, 29, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.
Cam Newton Carolina Panthers against Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, September 9, 2018.
Greg Olsen and Cam Newton celebrate a touchdown during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton passes against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton runs out of the tunnel during pregame against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart celebrate a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) leaps over center Ryan Kalil (67) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) and strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) to score on a 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter during the NFC Championship game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Jan 24, 2016. The Panthers defeated the Cardinals 49-15. (Kirby Lee/NFL)
Cam Newton carries the football during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
