CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Cam Newton threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score, and the Carolina Panthers took an important step toward best record in the NFC once the playoffs arrive with a 37-29 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Newton completed 15 of 30 passes for 297 yards and ran for 57 yards on nine carries in one of the better games of his five-year NFL career.
The Panthers (8-0) extended their regular-season win streak to 12 games and put themselves in terrific shape in the NFC standings, where every other team has at least two losses.
Aaron Rodgers threw for 369 yards and four touchdowns and led a furious fourth-quarter comeback from 23 points down, but couldn’t complete it. Linebacker Thomas Davis intercepted Rodgers on a fourth-and-goal pass at the Carolina 3 with 1:54 left.
The Packers (6-2) have lost back-to-back games after starting 6-0.