A look at the highs and lows the first half of the season for the Carolina Panthers (8-0) and what to expect in the second half:
Midseason MVP: This is a tough one. Quarterback Cam Newton gets credit for leading an offense with a rag-tag group of wide receivers. Kawann Short is playing like the best defensive tackle in the NFL. But I'll go with cornerback Josh Norman. His four interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, set the tone for the fast start. That teams are avoiding him now is taking away half the field and giving defensive coordinator Sean McDermott more options than ever.
Best moment: The come-from-behind win at Seattle to go to 5-0. Newton never has been better than in leading the Panthers to two touchdowns in the final four minutes of the 27-23 victory. His 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end Greg Olsen with 32 seconds left set off a celebration normally reserved for playoff games. This ended a four-game losing streak to the Seahawks and ended much of the talk that Carolina's record was the product of an easy schedule.
Worst moment: The awkward collision middle linebacker Luke Kuechly had with Jacksonville running back T.J. Yeldon in the Sept. 13 opener. Kuechly was placed in the concussion protocol and missed the next three games. He might have missed four had Carolina not had a bye during his recovery. It was a scary hit for the team's defensive leader and a reminder of why the league has a stricter protocol to protect the players.
One reason to be optimistic: Carolina's record over the last six games of the season since 2011 is 18-6. This team consistently has gotten better at the end of the season under coach Ron Rivera. Newton is a big reason. Only Tom Brady has more December wins than Newton's 14 since Newton came into the league in 2011. His quarterback rating and completion percentage consistently has gone up at the end of the season.
Mark it on your calendar: Thanksgiving Day. That's the first game defensive end Charles Johnson (hamstring) is eligible to play since being placed on injured reserve with a designation to return. He's already moving around pretty good. Johnson is second on Carolina's all-time sacks list. Throw him into the mix with Jared Allen, Kony Ealy, Mario Addison and the emerging Ryan Delaire, and quarterbacks beware.
Key to second half: This might sound cliché, but keep doing what they've been doing. That is, play solid defense predicated on stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback. Continuing to be balanced on offense behind the running of Jonathan Stewart, and the running and throwing of Newton. In many ways this team still is learning its way with an unheralded group of wide receivers. As they get better, particularly rookie Devin Funchess, this team will get better.