after tearing his ACL in a non-contact drill during practice. Despite what some thought was a major loss in Benjamin, Carolina went on to shock the NFL by achieving both a franchise-best and league-best 15–1 record. This included 14 consecutive victories to start the season, the most by any NFC team in NFL history. The Panthers only regular season loss occurred in the penultimate week of the regular season against the Atlanta Falcons. Season highlights included Cam Newton's flip into the end zone in week 2, defeating Seattle on the road in week 5, an overtime victory over the Colts in week 8, blowing out the Cowboys in the Panthers first Thanksgiving Day game in week 10, winning their third straight division title in week 11, and achieving home-field advantage throughout the playoffs for the first time in franchise history in week 17. Also, ten players (six offensive, four defensive) were selected to the Pro Bowl, the most in team history along with eight All-Pro selections. In the postseason, the Panthers, having earned home-field advantage, earned a 1st-round bye. At home for the Divisional Round, Carolina faced Seattle in a rematch from the playoffs a year before. After jumping out to a 31-0 halftime lead, the Seahawks stormed back with 24 unanswered points to make it 31–24, however the Panthers would recover the ensuing onside kick, ending Seattle's quest for a possible third consecutive Super Bowl appearance. Next, the Panthers hosted the Arizona Cardinals in their first NFC Championship game appearance since 2005 and the first one played in Charlotte. Carolina routed the Cardinals, forcing seven turnovers en route to a 49–15 victory, their first NFC Championship win since 2003. With the win, Carolina advanced to Super Bowl 50, the team's first appearance in thirteen years. The Panthers were defeated by the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl by a score of 24–10. At the NFL Honors, which took place the day before the Super Bowl, it was announced Newton had won the NFL MVP award, becoming the first Panther to ever win the honor. The QB also won Offensive Player of the Year (another first), while Rivera won his second Coach of the Year award in three seasons. 2016 season Looking to defend their NFC South crown for a fourth straight season, the Panthers backfired. Top corner Josh Norman was cut by GM Dave Gettleman in the offseason. Norman