Cam Newton threw a career-high five touchdowns passes, and the Carolina Panthers improved to 10-0 on the season with a 44-16 win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
Newton completed 21 of 34 passes for 246 yards and threw TD passes to five different receivers as Carolina stretched its regular-season win streak to 14 games, including eighth straight at home.
The Panthers (10-0) scored 27 points off five Washington turnovers, three of those by quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Newton became the first Carolina quarterback in franchise history to throw four TD passes in the first half as the Panthers jumped out to a 31-14 lead.
Jonathan Stewart ran for 102 yards on 21 carries and caught a 12-yard touchdown pass. Mike Tolbert, Greg Olsen, Ted Ginn Jr. and Devin Funchess also caught TD passes.
Andre Roberts had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for the Redskins (4-6), who've lost nine straight on the road.
Here's how the game unfolded:
The Redskins won the toss and deferred to the second half, putting Newton and his Panthers offense on the field first.
Redskins kicker Dustin Hopkins slipped on the opening kickoff, giving the Panthers a shorter field for their starting drive. A stuffed run and two incomplete passes sent the Panthers to the sidelines for a three and out.
After a penalty on the punt, the Redskins took the field, looking to get off to a good start. RB Alfred Morris got stuffed a couple of times, but Cousins looked sharp on his first two passes.
When faced with a third and five and heavy pressure, Cousins attempted to hit Garcon in the middle of the field. But it was picked off by Panthers DB Kurt Coleman, only the second interception Cousins has thrown in the past three plus games.
The Panthers wasted little time with Newton hitting Funchess for 13 yards and Stewart running for six. A short pass to Stewart let the running back get into the end zone nearly untouched.
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Panthers 7, Redskins 0
Anything you can do, I can do better. Cousins hit Garcon for 17 yards to get the offense close to midfield. After a short loss on a run attempt, Cousins went deep to DeSean Jackson for 56 yards and a touchdown.
The #Redskins strike back in #WASvsCAR with a DeSean Jackson touchdown! https://t.co/HioAhXRLuq — Washington Redskins (@Redskins) November 22, 2015
Redskins 7, Panthers 7.
The Redskins defense knew they’d have to put pressure Newton to be effective. Ryan Kerrigan sacked him for 12 yards to start the drive, but the defense then gave up two completed passes to get a first down anyway.
Newton didn’t stop there. Missed tackles and quick passes got the Panthers inside the Redskins 20. Two penalties by the defensive line moved them inside the 10.
A 3 yard flare pass to the FB Mike Tolbert and the Panthers scored their second touchdown of the game.
Panthers 14, Redskins 7.
Andre Roberts wasn’t having any of that. He took the subsequent kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. It was the first kickoff return for a score against the Panthers in 100 games.
It was Roberts first touchdown return for his career.
They weren't going to stop him! Teammates celebrate with Andre Roberts after his kickoff return TD in #WASv... https://t.co/zNqKYllD5l — Washington Redskins (@Redskins) November 22, 2015
Redskins 14, Panthers 14.
The Redskins defense, who may have been a little winded after just being out on the field, didn’t show any fatigue, forcing a three and out after sacking Newton again.
The offense couldn't get any big play magic going this time, forced into their own three and out. A great punt pinned the Panthers inside their own 10 yard line.
The Redskins defense has been getting good penetration during Panthers rushes, but poor tackling after the first contact allowed Stewart to power his way to big gains.
Newton got good protection for two big passes before a very controversial play occurs. Newton completed a short pass to Olsen, who was immediately hit by Chris Culliver. The ball popped up in the air, where Culliver picked it off and returned it for a touchdown.
However, a flag on the play due to Culliver’s hit took the score away.
The Redskins nearly had another interception in the end zone, but a deflected pass fell harmlessly to the ground.
A third down pass to the end zone ended up being pass interference against the defense. A short run was stuffed before Newton found Ted Ginn Jr. for a short score.
Panthers 21, Redskins 14.
Could the Redskins respond after being disappointed by having a score taken away and dropping an interception? On the second play of the drive, Matt Jones fumbled the ball and it was recovered by the Panthers defense.
It was Jones' fourth fumble of the year, leading the NFL for running backs.
The Panthers took advantage of the miscue, going 24 yards in six plays before Newton found Olsen in the end for a 5 yard touchdown pass and catch.
Panthers 28, Redskins 14.
The Redskins offense hasn’t been effective running the ball. So this drive, they put it all in the hands of Cousins. He moved the team down the field with effective passing.
He even ran the ball for 23 yards, down to the Panthers 3 yard line, but that play was brought back because of a penalty. The next play, Cousins is stripped of the football, giving the Panthers the ball with less than 2 minutes to go in the half.
The Panthers didn’t seem to be interested in moving quickly, taking up a lot of time between plays. Newton was able to scramble away on a third down play to keep the drive alive.
Once they got closer to the Redskins side of the field, they appeared to pick up the pace. Graham Gano made a 42 yard field goal as time expired in the half.
Panthers 31, Redskins 14 at the half.
Officially, the Redskins have 3 yards rushing and only five first downs. They gave away three turnovers, which the Panthers converted into 17 points. The Panthers ran 43 plays while the Redskins only ran 21.
The very first play in the second half, Cousins loses the ball on a corner blitz, giving the Panthers the ball on the 11 yard line.
A turnover and a penalty, the things the Redskins couldn’t do, were both done within a minute of the second half. Newton found Funchess for a five yard touchdown pass, his fifth of the game.
Panthers 38, Redskins 14.
A three and out put the ball back in the hands of Newton and the Panthers offense.
The Panthers offense was content to chew up clock, running down the play clock down to near zero on every play. A couple of incomplete passes and the team was forced to punt.
The Redskins offense returned to the field, but they appeared to lack any energy. Cousins was sacked for a short loss and his next pass was incomplete after his intended receiver never turned around for the ball.
A screen pass could not pick up the first down and they had to punt again.
The Panthers mixed their passing and rushes effectively to move down the field after the punt. Moving 48 yards in 10 plays, Gano booted his second field goal, this one from 48 yards, to increase the lead.
Panthers 41, Redskins 14.
After barely escaping after one fumble, the Redskins turned it over on the very next play with another fumble. It was their fifth turnover of the game.
Nine plays and 58 yards later, the Panthers put Gano in position for a 25 yard field goal. Carolina has now scored 27 points off of Redskins’ turnovers.
Panthers 44, Redskins 14.
The Redskins offense could only managing 10 yards on seven plays after Cousins was sacked hard twice. Tackle Trent Jackson was also injured during the drive and carted away from the sidelines to the locker room.
A three and out of the backup Panthers offense and the Redskins came back out to hopefully get something positive.
Another short drive by the offense and the Panthers were content to sit on the ball. On their punt attempt, punter Brad Nortman ran around the end zone before being pushed out, giving the Redskins a safety.
Panthers 44, Redskins 16.
