It just so happens that the Seahawks were the best defense Newton faced this season, and by a fairly significant margin. The Panthers strength of schedule isn't really up for debate -- It was the easiest in the NFL. Pro-Football-Reference says so, as does FootballOutsiders. Or any metric really. It is a fact. The only thing Carolina seems to want to put up for debate is that SoS doesn't even matter. I mean, 50 years of Super Bowl history probably says otherwise, but whatever. The Giants won two Super Bowls with average teams, so who cares, right?
I'm still going to be citing SoS, so if that upsets you, or if DVOA pisses you off, maybe stop reading. (Though you might still be surprised by the ending. It's a real Shyamalan.)
Newton faced the Seahawks in Week 6 and Seattle ranked fourth in overall defense by DVOA, third against the pass, third against the run, first in touchdown passes allowed, first in points allowed, sixth in net yards per pass attempt, and first in rushing yards allowed. That's some real good defense.
Only the Broncos, Panthers, and Cardinals were better.
But the only other top 10 defenses Newton faced this season were the Texans (in Week 2, and Houston's rank of eighth overall is heavily influenced by being fourth in Weighted defense thanks to a strong finish) and the Packers (ninth overall, sixth against the pass.)
Newton had four games against teams ranked in the top 13 (3, 8, 9, 13) and 12 games against teams ranked in the bottom half of the NFL. All of that contributed to Carolina's strength of defenses faced being ranked 32nd in the league. Now, fans will argue that A) that's bullshit or B) it doesn't matter and C) you can only play the schedule you're given.
A and B are ignorant arguments fueled by insecurity, but C is certainly true. The Panthers played the schedule they were given, turned in a 15-1 record, and scored the most points. Some lucky team gets the easiest schedule every season*** and you don't see them winning 15 games. Point: Carolina.
But the Panthers were 10th in net Y/A, 10th in yards per carry, eighth in offensive DVOA, ninth in passing, and sixth in rushing. Did they do as much as they should be expected to do given that they have faced very little in terms of above-average talent and coaching on defense?
In Newton's three games against Seattle, Houston, and Green Bay, these were his passing numbers:
53-of-103, 51.4%, six touchdowns, four interceptions, 7.38 Y/A, and a passer rating of 78.9.
It sucks that we don't have a larger sample size, but that's also kind of the point. One game against a great defense, two or three games against a good defense, and then a whole lot of games against "Alabama State A&M Tech Southern of Kensington College." (Also known as the 2015 New Orleans Saints.)
Sometimes what you did is less important than what you can prove. Maybe the Panthers are the best team in football. It is certainly possible. But there isn't a lot on the table that shows why they'll be able to beat not just the Seahawks, but the Cardinals, and possibly the Broncos, Chiefs, Patriots, or Steelers. The next three games -- should Carolina make it that far -- will be against the three best teams they've faced all year.
What Newton won't be facing this week is a pass defense ranked 26th or worse, which he did six times this year with these results:
123-of-196, 62.7%, 17 touchdowns, two interceptions, 8.05 Y/A, and a passer rating of 112.5.
Now, every player boosts their numbers against bad teams. Wilson does it. Palmer does. Everybody does it. But that isn't the point because again, we aren't talking about the MVP race, we're talking about this game. And just like I said about Aaron Rodgers in the NFC Championship game last year, and Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl a year earlier when he was coming off the greatest season by a quarterback of all-time: Newton will struggle to complete meaningful passes against the Seahawks.