Best of the Panthers in 2012 season
View photos from Carolina's 7-9 campaign in 2012.
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) reacts after making a first down against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) huddles with his teammates during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on December 16, 2012. The Panthers defeated the Chargers 31-7. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Carolina Panthers tackle Jordan Gross (69) blocks Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry (75) during the NFL game between the Carolina Panthers and the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, November 26th 2012 in Philadelphia. The Panthers won 30-22. (AP Photo/Brian Garfinkel)
Carolina Panthers running back Mike Tolbert (35) takes the ball into the end zone during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints September 16, 2012 in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Margaret Bowles)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates a touchdown during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints September 16, 2012 in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Margaret Bowles)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons' Chris Owens (21) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) warms up prior to an NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Panthers Sunday, October 21, 2012 in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Margaret Bowles)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) drops back to pass during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, September 30, 2012, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 30-28. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is stopped short of the goal line by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) and safety Earl Thomas (29) during an NFL football game, Sunday, October 7, 2012. The Seahawks won 16-12. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) reacts after running for a first down against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) carries the ball after making a reception during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, September 16, 2012, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers won 35-27. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
The Carolina Panthers offense discusses the play in a huddle during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Soldier Field on Sunday October 28, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Carolina Panthers defensive back Josh Thomas (22) tackles Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Doug Martin (22) during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on September 9, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
Carolina Panthers safety Charles Godfrey (30) celebrates his interception return for a touchdown with linebacker Jon Beason (52) and linebacker James Anderson (50) during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, September 16, 2012, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers won 35-27. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
Atlanta Falcons' Jacquizz Rodgers (32) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly (59) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) carries the ball after making a reception during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, September 30, 2012, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 30-28. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis (58) in action against the Washington Redskins November 4, 2012 at FedEX field in Landover, Maryland Carolina defeated Washington 21-13. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 9, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) celebrates his interception of an Atlanta Falcons pass with teammates Andre Neblett (68) and Charles Johnson (95) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) intercepts a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) in an NFL game Sunday, October 7, 2012, in Charlotte, NC. (AP Photo/Margaret Bowles)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is tackled by Carolina Panthers defensive end Antwan Applewhite (93) and linebacker James Anderson (50) during an NFL football game, Sunday, October 7, 2012. The Seahawks won 16-12. (AP Photo/Paul Abell)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) plays in an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 11, 2012 in Charlotte,North Carolina.Denver won 36-14. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera acknowledges fans as he walks off the field after the Panthers defeated the Oakland Raiders 17-6 in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Oakland Raiders' Darren McFadden (20) runs as Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) and Greg Hardy (76) pursue during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers Charles Johnson (95) plays in an NFL game against the Denver Broncos at Bank of America Stadium on November 11, 2012 in Charlotte,North Carolina.Denver won 36-14. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
San Diego Chargers linebackers Jarret Johnson (96) and Larry English (52) wrap up Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) during an NFL game on December 16, 2012. The Panthers defeated the Chargers 31-7. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Carolina Panthers left tackle Jordan Gross (69) blocks during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday October 28, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago won 23-22. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
Washington Redskins kick returner Brandon Banks (16) in action against the Carolina Panthers Josh Norman (24) November 4, 2012 at FedEX field in Landover, Maryland Carolina defeated Washington 21-13. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) rushes upfield against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) runs upfield on a 45-yard scoring reception during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on December 16, 2012. The Panthers defeated the Chargers 31-7. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) about to be sacked the Carolina Panthers Charles Johnson (95) November 4, 2012 at FedEX field in Landover, Maryland Carolina defeated Washington 21-13. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason (52) looks to make a tackle during a week 3 Thursday night football game against the New York Giants on September 20, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
In this photo taken Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the second half of an NFL football game in Atlanta. The Panthers may still be stinging from Sunday's heartbreaking loss to Atlanta, but there are still plenty of positives to come out of that game including the steady emergence of a pass rush. The Panthers tied a franchise record with seven sacks 3.5 by Charles Johnson something they hope to continue this Sunday at home against Seattle. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates a touchdown with teammate Derek Anderson (3) against the Washington Redskins November 4, 2012 at FedEX field in Landover, Maryland (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) runs for a 72-yard touchdown as Atlanta Falcons' Thomas DeCoud (28) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) runs after a catch as Atlanta Falcons' Thomas DeCoud (28) defends during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Carolina Panthers Luke Kuechly during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 9, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) and defensive end Frank Alexander (90) celebrate as they run off the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. The Panthers won 30-20. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
