Cam Newton's late fumble proves costly for Panthers

• Cam Newton had three total TDs, but a late fumble cost the Panthers valuable yardage
• Newton did his Superman pose even after a newspaper editorial cartoon criticized him
• Newton apologized to his teammates and fans for the fumble, which led a Panthers punt

ATLANTA -- There was one Superman pose by Cam Newton here Sunday. It came when he scored a touchdown in the third quarter. He did the dance, then pretended to rip open the jersey.

But with the game on the line in the fourth quarter, Newton did not have to make a Superman play for his team to win. All he needed was to do something ordinary, by NFL standards, and that was to hold on to the ball.

On third-and-2 from the Atlanta 46-yard line with less than two minutes remaining, Newton made an extra effort on a keeper for a first down that would have sealed a 28-27 win for the Panthers. Instead, Newton fumbled. The ball was recovered by Carolina at the 45, but the Panthers decided to punt, the Falcons completed an improbable 59-yard pass, kicked a field goal, and squeaked out a 30-28 victory.

There was plenty of blame to go around for the sudden collapse, and Newton took his share of blame for the loss ... and more. That doesn't take a Superman, only a young quarterback who wants to mature into a leader.

"In this league, you have to protect the football," said the second-year quarterback. "That was a key focus going into this game. I fumbled. It's a lot of guys that's trusting the ball carrier, whoever it is in any case, and I was the ball carrier that particular play to get the job done. I failed. I dropped the ball.

"I want to apologize to my teammates, and the fans that were watching out there because it's a lot that goes into each and every play. I clearly had the first down, but I have got to hold on to the football."

Newton has been under criticism for showing off his Superman pose after scoring a touchdown in a 36-7 loss to the New York Giants. Many felt it was inappropriate, considering his team was being drubbed.

Newton was the subject of an editorial cartoon in the Charlotte Observer that criticized his touchdown pose. The cartoon depicted him performing his Superman touchdown pose, but when he ripped open his jersey there was a Hello Kitty logo on his chest.

The cartoon created a firestorm of criticism with some suggesting the cartoon was racially motivated.

Newton would not criticize the decision by coach Ron Rivera to punt on fourth-and-1 and not go for the first down. The Falcons were pinned to the 1-yard line, but scored anyway.

"Well, I'm a player on this football team, and I listen to coaching," Newton said. "And coach decided not to go for it on fourth down, so I back coach 110%. He decided not to do it, so we didn't do it."