the upcoming season.That approach continued on Sunday.A lot of people want to make it a rematch. Its not a rematch, Newton said. Its just our next opponent.Its been

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The jovial, fun-loving and wide-smiling Cam Newton was nowhere to be found Sunday.The NFL Most Valuable Player instead took on a serious tone talking about Thursday nights regular season opener, a Super Bowl rematch with the Denver Broncos.No one likes losing, so I took it extremely personal, Newton said about the Carolinas 24-10 loss to the Broncos in the title game.Newton had a league-high 45 combined touchdowns in a memorable 2015 regular season and added five more in the NFC playoffs. But he never got a chance to dab on the games biggest stage with running back Jonathan Stewart scoring Carolinas only touchdown.Simply put, Denvers defense dominated.Newtons 60 minutes of frustration on the field spilled over to his post-game interview where he answered questions with terse, short answers while slumped behind a podium with a hoodie covering most of his face. After three minutes he abruptly got up and walked off, drawing the ire of some other athletes who criticized his antics.Two days later, upon returning to Charlotte, Newton defended his actions saying Ive been on the record saying that Im a sore loser. Who likes to lose? You show me a good loser and Im going to show you a loser. Its not a popularity contest. I am here to win football games.Newton has since backed away -- at least some -- from that stance.With time to reflect he told Ebony magazine this offseason that he let down friends and family.He hasnt talked much about the Super Bowl loss or his post-game press conference since, avoiding most questions related to the game by spinning them toward the upcoming season.That approach continued on Sunday.A lot of people want to make it a rematch. Its not a rematch, Newton said. Its just our next opponent.Its been seven months now since the devastating defeat, and Panthers coach Ron Rivera believes his quarterbacks mind is in a good place.I think his game is right where it needs to be, Rivera said. Hes focused in on this game. Hes focused in on the 2016 season. As I told the players, the most important thing we do is get ready for this game.Newton wouldnt say if hes watched the Super Bowl.But he believes the Panthers will be better prepared to handle Von Miller and Denver pass rush this time around.The Broncos sacked Newton six times in the Super Bowl, two of those resulting in turnovers leading to 14 Denver points. Newton finished 18 of 41 for 265 yards with no