CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cam Newton was reflective and somewhat philosophical about many topics on Thursday, but on what this season has been like for him and the Carolina Panthers he went straight to the point.

“It’s demoralizing,’’ the reigning NFL MVP said.

Whether or not you believe Newton when he says being suspended for the first series of Sunday’s loss was because he didn’t wear the required tie on the flight to Seattle, you should believe him here.

The Panthers are 4-8 and all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention after going 15-1 during the 2015 regular season and reaching the Super Bowl.

Newton is on target for a career-worst 80.6 passer rating and 54.7 completion percentage. He’s thrown only 14 touchdown passes a season after collecting a career-high 35 last year.

That’s about as demoralizing as it can get unless you happen to play for the Cleveland Browns (0-12).

“It’s challenging,’’ Newton said. “It’s extremely challenging. It’s humbling as well. But yet you still have to keep getting better.’’

And as Newton reminded, there’s still time for that.

“You’ve got to give us a chance,’’ he said.

How the Panthers mentally approach the final four games has been a topic much of this week. Knowing Newton, the approach will be to win every game regardless of how banged up his offensive line is.

Newton has a history of strong finishes during bad seasons. The Panthers went 2-2 during his rookie season to finish 6-10 and 4-0 during his second season to finish 7-9.

The cumulative record of the first pick of the 2011 draft over the final four games is 15-4.

So Newton knows how to handle stretch runs when there’s nothing and everything on the line.

“For me, I have a family to provide for,’’ Newton said. “And with that comes a responsibility to myself, from off the field issues to on the field, to preparing for on the field, it’s my job to be in the best way as possible. That’s mentally and physically.’’

Newton typically has been at his best down the stretch. Thirty-three of his 131 career touchdowns (25 percent) have come over the final four games. Nine of his 48 rushing touchdowns (18.8 percent) have come during that span.

Newton can’t tell you why his numbers are down, other than perhaps the “luck of the draw.’’

But you can bet he won’t let that impact how he plays the final four games.

“I do know we’ve set a standard here,’’ Newton said. “[This season is] unacceptable. I’ll be the first one to tell you, it is.’’