Carolina Panthers extend their ‘moment,’ improve to 13-0

Carolina Panthers’ Jonathan Stewart (28) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015.

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – The Atlanta Falcons are sinking fast, with seemingly no life preserver in sight to save their once-promising season.

Cam Newton is the MVP of the league to date, he’s combined for 32 touchdowns this season and is running away with the award.

He finished the game 15 of 21 for 265 yards and three touchdowns after he was replaced by backup Derek Anderson in the third quarter.

The Panthers carry an advantage against the Falcons heading into the game, but it’s not about their records, but the fact that the former has won against the latter in four of their last five games. After starting the season 5-0, the Falcons are now 6-6 and have lost five straight games. The win gives the Panthers a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs. The Panthers outgained Atlanta 424-230.

There were some scary moments for Carolina on the injury front.

Carolina encountered some injuries, with a broken leg suffered by cornerback Bene Benwikere in the fourth quarter considered the only serious one.

– Drew Brees (breez) threw a pair of touchdown passes as the Saints stopped a four-game losing streak with a 24-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For starters, the Falcons have to cut down on turnovers – they’ve committed 24 in their last eight games, including eight in the past three contests. The former Florida State star also hasn’t topped 100 rushing yards since October 25. He capped the drive by leaping over the pile for a 1-yard touchdown. Ted Ginn would bring in another one on the next offensive drive, beating the Falcons secondary for a 46 yard touchdown. His two sacks lead the team, and on both occasions he forced fumbles, one that caused a TWENTY SIX yard loss due to the way the ball flew out of Ryan’s hands, and the other he recovered himself. It is hard due to the number of active players you can have on game day, but I seriously wondered about letting Kuechly go back out there after he came out to have his ankle retaped. The rout was on. But it was a banged-up defense that held San Diego without a touchdown for the second time this season that allowed the Chiefs (8-5) to escape.

Newton left for a play in the second quarter after hitting his amusing bone on his own helmet. The questionable designation likely has more to due to with the Panthers’ 28-0 lead at halftime, but the tight end’s health will be worth watching in the aftermath of the game.

Philadelphia scored the game-winning points on Caleb Stugis’ 30-yard field goal with 3:26 left to play, which was set up by a 41-yard catch-and-run by tight end Zach Ertz, who broke two tackles and stiff-armed another defender.