The Panthers aren’t the same without Kelvin Benjamin. They’re even better.

The loss of a No.1 receiver is typically the death knell to an offense. When the Panthers lost Kelvin Benjamin for the season in training camp many thought it would end the team’s season before it began. That’s a perfectly reasonable expectation when a player takes over 1,000 receiving yards and nine touchdowns with him to injured reserve and leaves Ted Ginn, Corey Brown and a rookie tight end to fill the void. That’s the typical expectation in these circumstances, but the Panthers were anything but typical this season -- and instead of wallowing in a weakness they turned the loss into a strength. One that would propel them into the Super Bowl.

To understand how this is possible is a lesson in understanding Cam Newton. Some of the superlatives thrown his way are deserved, others tend to be overwrought. So too there are valid weaknesses in his game: A propensity to overthrow his receivers, trust his arm too much in tight windows and occasionally let his mechanics disintegrate when pressure is looming. One aspect that is often missed in this praise and critique has been a constant throughout his career -- improvisation.

Newton is at his best when he has room to play jazz, not classical. The Panthers’ ground attack has used this for years, which is why the read option is so beneficial for a team with two power runners in Newton and Jonathan Stewart, but up to this point that same level of flexibility has been lacking in the passing game -- until this season. Newton’s passing ability from 2011-14 was fairly predictable and rote. He’d make some jaw-dropping throws, and other times flounder when his slower-than-average receivers were covered. This prompted far too many jump balls to Benjamin and Greg Olsen, and not enough quick chain-moving routes that help the rushing attack.

This phenomenon was so pronounced during the 2013 season that fans wondered if Newton was free to call audibles at all. He had his signature cadence at the line of scrimmage, but never seemed to be adjusting the plays. That offense was good enough to propel the team to a 12-4 record; however, it was woefully inadequate when it came to facing elite teams in the playoffs.

That changed in 2014. While the Panthers and Newton has less success overall, the offense was put in Newton’s hands more -- for better, and for worse. There were some questionable moments and poor play, but Newton looked more comfortable in the system.

Fast forward six months. Benjamin is lost to injury, Devin Funchess is trying to learn how to be a wide receiver and Ginn has returned to Carolina. Unquestionably this is the worst group of wide receivers an elite quarterback has, and could be one of the worst in the NFL. It’s here that expectations of failure were built, only to be shattered. What we didn’t know was that behind the scenes the Panthers and Newton were developing a new system of play calling. One that asked even more out of Newton and offensive coordinator Mike Shula. Instead of giving Newton a play over the headset and him making adjustments at the line of scrimmage, he was given three. Free to choose what he felt was best for the situation.

It turns out Newton’s ability to call his own plays is pretty darn good.

This new system installed elements of the successful read option running game and applied them to the passing offense. Instead of being locked in to routes based on down and distance it allowed Newton to add unpredictability to the attack. Suddenly he played like a completely different quarterback. One could spend hours dissecting film and breaking down how the passes themselves changed, but one doesn’t need to. Cam had fun passing the same way he does when he’s running the ball. Every completion was met with the same trademark smile, as if Newton was pleased not only with the outcome of the throw, but his decision on the play. Taking ownership transformed the offense.

It’s tempting to hear this story and think it’s an indictment of Shula’s offense, but in reality it’s a credit. At times during his tenure it felt like the two were at odds. That Shula’s Ford Focus offense couldn’t adapt to being handed the keys to the Ferrari that is Newton. The greatest challenge for coaches is putting their ego and preconceived notions aside and give up some of their power -- and Shula did just that.

There’s a chance this offensive shift would have happened organically, but the injury to Benjamin served as its catalyst. It forced a traditionally conservative offense to be risky. The results speak for themselves. These Panthers are fueled by having a good time, and somehow Ron Rivera kept them focused while other teams in the same situation could have lost it. The celebrations, the selfies, dabbing and dancing in the end zone -- those are all symptoms of a pleasant disease. This team loves to play football in a way that cuts through the grand seriousness of the NFL and its business.

On paper the Panthers would be a far better team entering the Super Bowl if they had Benjamin, but this team has always defied expectations. If this team can harness what they learned from giving Newton the reigns and incorporate Benjamin into the offense in 2016, well, the best could be yet to come.