The Carolina Panthers were hoping to take the stress off quarterback Cam Newton by taking a more pass-heavy approach in the 2017 NFL season. Needless to say, it did not come to fruition as Newton ran more this year than he has his entire career.

The Panthers have received their fair share of criticism for exposing their franchise quarterback to so many hits. However, Newton's run-heavy style is something he looks to keep going for years to come, according to ESPN's David Newton

“That's my edge,” Newton said. “I wouldn't expect you or anybody else to take it away. And when I say you, I mean the media as a whole.

“I'm comfortable running the football, I feel like I help the team when I'm running the football, and as long as I'm playing this game, I'm going to run the football.”

Newton became the fifth quarterback since the merger to lead his team in rushing. His 139 carries for 754 yards is a career-best for both categories.

That said, Carolina will need every advantage they can get as they prepare to square off against a New Orleans Saints team that they already lost twice to this year. Interestingly enough, the Saints managed to contain in the mobile quarterback to just 67 yards and a touchdown on nine carries in both games combined.