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Carolina quarterback Cam Newton looked nothing like the Super Bowl quarterback who struggled against the Broncos early Thursday evening. At least in the first half, when he led the Panthers to a 17-7 lead, seven more points than Carolina scored in the Super Bowl, and twice as many third-down conversions.

Newton’s six first-half rushing attempts were by design, unlike the six rushes he had in the Super Bowl when he was running for cover when chased out of the pocket.

But the second half was more like a repeat of the Super Bowl, as the Broncos harassed Newton into mistakes and errant throws, leading to a game-changing interception in Denver’s 21-20 victory.

“I feel (horrible). I just don’t like to lose,” Newton said. “I know you guys are anticipating so much and, you know, I’m just trying my best to keep it together. I knew that this was going to happen, especially from the media standpoint, you know ‘How will Cam react to the media?’ The truth of the matter is, the Denver Broncos are the defending champs for a reason. We came in and had opportunities to put them away and we didn’t.”

Newton finished 18 of 33 for 194 yards passing and 54 yards rushing on 11 attempts.

Unlike in the first half, he couldn’t avoid Denver’s pass rush, which delivered huge blows throughout the fourth quarter, twice leading to doubt as to whether Newton would return to the game. A couple of the hits appeared to be helmet-to-helmet blows.

“People just get away with more stuff (against Newton),” said linebacker Thomas Davis. “It’s a part of the game. We’ve talked about it ad nauseum. It doesn’t matter, they ain’t going to change it. Just got to line up and got to play. That’s it.”

Davis felt Denver’s defense got away with hits on Newton that should have been flagged.

“Do you see them calling it?” he asked. “That’s what I mean by getting away with it. Early in the game, a guy takes two or three steps and they didn’t call a penalty. It doesn’t matter. It didn’t cost us the game.”

In the first half Newton avoided being sacked and kept making plays under pressure — none more impressive than his dump-off pass to tight end Greg Olsen on a third-and-10 in which he somehow avoided blitzing Denver safety T.J. Ward. That play gained 13 yards to the Broncos’ 22-yard line and, four plays later, Newton scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to cap a 18-play, 89-yard drive that chewed up 11:59 of the clock and gave Carolina a 14-7 lead.

The Panthers were 6-of-7 on third downs in the first half Thursday night. In the Super Bowl, they were 3-of-15.

But, in the fourth quarter Newton was unable to rally his team after Denver took a 21-17 lead. Carolina moved into field goal position to cut the margin to 21-20. Then, after a three-and-out by Denver, Newton had one last chance for a game-winning drive.

Thanks to two Denver penalties the Panthers were in position for the game-winning field goal after a beautiful pass to the sideline from Newton to Ted Ginn Jr. for six yards left kicker Graham Gano with a 50-yard field goal attempt. He missed wide left after Broncos’ coach Gary Kubiak called time just prior to his first kick.

Newton had 248 yards total offense. In the Super Bowl he was聽18-of-41 passing for 265 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and two lost fumbles.