DAVIS A SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR FINALIST: Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis is one of 12 finalists for the Sports Illustrated 2015 Sportsman of the Year Award, the NFL's only representative. Fans are encouraged to vote for the individual that embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement this year. The voting period closes at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 12 and the winner of the reader poll will be revealed the following day. The editors selection for Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year will be announced on Dec. 14. VOTE HERE

ALLEN JOINS NFL TOTAL ACCESS: Defensive end Jared Allen appeared on NFL Total Access Wednesday night and discussed the Panthers 8-0 start, his trade from the Bears and his charity, Home for Wounded Warriors.

PRO BOWL UPDATE: A total of eighteen players on the Panthers roster are ranked in the top 10 in fan votes for the 2016 Pro Bowl. Quarterback Cam Newton ranks sixth among all players, while outside linebacker Thomas Davis, inside linebacker Luke Kuechly, cornerback Josh Norman and center Ryan Kalil are the leading vote-getters in their respective position groups. VOTE HERE

NFL NATION SELECTS NORMAN AS DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:Paul Gutierrez and Dan Graziano of ESPN discuss the NFL Nation panel selection of Josh Norman as the pick for Defensive Player of the Year. READ MORE

PANTHERS EXCITED TO FACE FORMER TEAMMATE BELL: Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer explains why the Panthers are looking forward to playing against their former teammate, Byron Bell, who signed with Tennessee during the offseason. READ MORE

FIVE TAKEAWAYS FROM NEWTON'S CONFERENCE: Panthers.com senior writer Bryan Strickland outlines the highlights from Newton's weekly press conference. READ MORE