Panthers survive Saints for 12-0 start

Newton, who was 28 of 41 for 331 yards, twice led the Panthers back from fourth-quarter deficits as the Saints (4-8) tried desperately to avoid a four-game losing streak. Despite the Saints best efforts, Carolina would come out on top thanks to another game winning drive by Cam Newton.

Newton and the Carolina Panthers displayed composure in the clutch.

Already assured of a spot in the playoffs, the Panthers host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, then have road games against the New York Giants and Falcons before ending the regular season with a home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 3.

“Our coaches preach to just keep working”, safety Kenny Vacarro said Monday. That was more big plays than we’ve seen in a month. You can’t say it’s scheme. But, again, we don’t make excuses.

In addition to coverage mix-ups, the Saints were hurt by penalties, committing 11 for 104 yards – several of the drive-sustaining variety on third down.

Unbeaten Carolina wrapped up the NFC South division title with a 41-38 win at New Orleans on Sunday, with Cam Newton finding Jerricho Cotchery with 1:05 to go for his fifth touchdown pass of the game. Those guys are a good football team, and we’ve got to find a way to finish a game like that. “Something different and new to them that they didn’t see and I think that helped us”. Jameis Winston completed 18 of 27 passes for 227 yards and one touchdown against one interception.

The first of the violations by the Panthers came in the first quarter after a 9-yard pass to Greg Olsen set up a fourth-and-1 situation in New Orleans territory. Beckham has 169 career receptions and passed MARQUES COLSTON (168) for the most by a player in his first two seasons in National Football League history.

“In our league, you just have to get the next guy ready”, Payton said. “But it won’t happen again, any time I get an opportunity to score”. But if there’s one thing above all that marks Newton’s overall development this season, it’s his sense of calm when things are going really wrong. Payton threw the red challenge flag but was told that he could not challenge it because there was no play with 12 men on the field. “And they’re getting that right (in high school games) on Friday nights”. Drew Brees completed 24 of 42 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns against one interception.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera initially said he thought Newton had gone to the locker room to use the bathroom. Olsen had to fall to the ground to make a fingertip grab of the underthrown pass, which was so close to hitting the ground that fans in the Superdome were roaring at replays as Saints coach Sean Payton asked for a review.

Doug Baldwin had two touchdowns and 94 yards receiving and Thomas Rawls rushed for 101 yards.

On the season, the New Orleans Saints average 304.5 yards in passing and 96.6 yards in rushing.

New Orleans’ defense, which demonstrated moderate improvement a week ago in Dennis Allen’s first game as coordinator, produced three turnovers and a touchdown in the first half.

Your offense sputtered with a missed field goal followed by four straight punts with only three first downs in five possessions.

Anthony ripped the ball away from Stewart as he to push through a pile of players.

“Mathematically, I don’t know what the chances are, or anything else about making it to the postseason”, Brees said at the conference.

Delvin Breaux said he’s OK after leaving Sunday’s game against the Panthers early with a right hamstring injury.

Chiefs 34, Raiders 20: Jeremy Maclin had two touchdowns catches after fourth-quarter interceptions and Tyvon Branch returned a third interception from Derek Carr for a game-clinching score as visiting Kansas City rallied for its sixth straight victory.