Broncos Rip Cam Newton: "That's the way he is. Playing for himself"

Trailing the Broncos 16-10 late in the 4th quarter, the Carolina Panthers had the ball for one final drive, with MVP Cam Newton poised to have his Super Bowl moment. As bad as his offensive line and receivers had been, Newton struggled all game against a relentless pass rush, but the Panthers had moved the ball well in the 2nd half. The problem was once they got inside the 30-yard line, they missed a field goal and Newton was intercepted.

But on the potential game-winning drive, Newton was hit (again) by Von Miller, fumbled, didn’t dive on the ball when he could have. The Broncos recovered. The game was over.

Afterward, the harshest criticism came from two Broncos – linebacker Danny Trevathan and cornerback Aqib Talib. “That’s the way he is. Playing for himself,” Trevathan told The MMQB. “He didn’t want it,” Talib said.

Newton actually jumps away from the fumble as it appeared several players converged on the ball. In Week 3, maybe this is no big deal. Long season to go. QB too important. But with the game on the line? He’s gotta dive in there.

Even Jim Nantz took a shot at him.