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Newton's TD lifts Panthers into playoffs with 22-19 win
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Cam Newton certainly has a flair for the dramatic.
The emotional and charismatic quarterback scored on a whacky 2-yard touchdown run with 35 seconds remaining to lift Carolina to a 22-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and help the Panthers secure a spot in the NFC playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.
The Panthers (11-4) trailed most of the second half, but Newton completed 4 of 7 passes for 52 yards in the final 3 minutes before turning a potential debacle into a memorable touchdown. Newton fumbled the shotgun snap after it hit his knuckles, but the ball bounced back up into his hands and he alertly picked it up and dove across the goal line for the go-ahead score.
''The idea was to put it on the ground, get (the defense) to freeze for a second, and pick it up and score,'' joked Panthers coach Ron Rivera. ''I tell you when I saw that. ... But the best part is it didn't ruin my Christmas, which I appreciate.''
Newton celebrated the score by using the football as a prop, pretending to ''light a candle on a cupcake'' in celebration of son Chosen's birthday. Newton brought his son into the news conference after the game for the first time ever, and said it was ironic that he scored on a 2-yard run on his son's 2nd birthday.
Newton said he lost sight of the snap because he was thinking about whether or not to leap over the pile.
When the play came in, Newton said he had the option to run or pass in the huddle.
He chose a run - and he's glad he did.
''I'm just happy it wasn't a pass play because if it was then the offensive line would have been coming back,'' Newton said. ''But everyone was moving forward, so it might have been good because it froze everybody for a moment. I'm just happy that we scored.''
The Panthers sealed the game when Kawann Short sacked Jameis Winston on Tampa Bay's final drive, and forced a fumble that Julius Peppers recovered. Winston threw for 367 yards and a touchdown but was sacked six times and fumbled three times for the Bucs (4-11).
''The guy's a warrior,'' Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said about Winston.
The Panthers offense struggled all day.
Newton threw for just 160 yards and ran for 52 yards on 14 carries. Carolina's only touchdown in the first three quarters came on a 103-yard kickoff return by Damiere Byrd. Tampa Bay's defense set the tone early, limiting the Panthers to just 78 yards in the first half - the fewest in an opening half since Newton took over as Carolina's starting QB in 2012.
''We found ways and this is what great teams do - they find ways to win,'' Newton said.
Added Short: ''It was an ugly win. At the end of the day we got the job done. We're in the playoffs, another step to where we're trying to get to.''
For the Bucs it was another close loss - the story of their season.
''We play together, but we just have to figure out the last step - that's it,'' said Tampa Bay cornerback Brent Grimes.
PLAYOFF SCENARIO: Carolina can still clinch the NFC South championship, but it would need a win over Atlanta and a New Orleans loss to Tampa Bay next Sunday.
For now, the Panthers are just happy to be back in the playoffs following a 6-10 season last year.
''To be 11-4 with one game left, that's solid,'' tight end Greg Olsen said.
STRONG RUSH: Short and defensive end Wes Horton each had 1 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble for the Panthers. Carolina has 15 sacks in the last three games and forced 10 turnovers.
BIG GAME FOR BUCS RECEIVERS: The Bucs had six plays of 25 yards or longer against the Panthers fifth-ranked defense, including a 70-yard catch-and-run by Chris Godwin. Mike Evans led the way with 107 yards on six catches, while Godwin finished with 98 yards on three receptions.
RIVERBOAT RON: Panthers coach ''Riverboat'' Ron Rivera called a fake punt in the third quarter because he felt the offense needed ''a shot in the arm.'' It worked as punter Michael Palardy threw over the middle for tight end Ed Dickson, who was interfered with by Josh Robinson. That resulted in a first down and led to a Carolina field goal.
''He's a lefty and he went to Tennessee - so there is a lot of things we can sharpen up,'' Newton joked about Palardy's throw.
UP NEXT
Buccaneers: Host Saints next Sunday.
Panthers: Visit Falcons next Sunday.
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Copyright 2017 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
J. Winston
5 QB 367 PaYds, PaTD, 6 RuYds |
14
FPTS
|
|
C. Newton
1 QB 160 PaYds, INT, 52 RuYds, RuTD |
15
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. WinstonÂ
3 QB
14 FPTS
|
J. Winston | 21/27 | 367 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
P. BarberÂ
25 RB
5 FPTS
|
P. Barber | 13 | 51 | 0 | 34 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. MartinÂ
22 RB
0 FPTS
|
D. Martin | 6 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WinstonÂ
3 QB
14 FPTS
|
J. Winston | 3 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. RodgersÂ
32 RB
0 FPTS
|
J. Rodgers | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. SimsÂ
34 RB
1 FPTS
|
C. Sims | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
M. EvansÂ
13 WR
10 FPTS
|
M. Evans | 8 | 6 | 107 | 0 | 30 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. GodwinÂ
12 WR
9 FPTS
|
C. Godwin | 6 | 3 | 98 | 0 | 70 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
F. MartinoÂ
16 WR
5 FPTS
|
F. Martino | 2 | 2 | 57 | 0 | 39 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. HumphriesÂ
10 WR
5 FPTS
|
A. Humphries | 3 | 3 | 51 | 0 | 36 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. SimsÂ
34 RB
1 FPTS
|
C. Sims | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. WilsonÂ
85 WR
7 FPTS
|
B. Wilson | 1 | 1 | 18 | 1 | 18 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. BrateÂ
84 TE
1 FPTS
|
C. Brate | 4 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. BarberÂ
25 RB
5 FPTS
|
P. Barber | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. AuclairÂ
82 TE
0 FPTS
|
A. Auclair | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
C. ConteÂ
23 FS
|
C. Conte | 8-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. WardÂ
43 DB
|
T. Ward | 5-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. AlexanderÂ
58 MLB
|
K. Alexander | 4-4 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. DavidÂ
54 OLB
|
L. David | 3-8 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. BeckwithÂ
51 MLB
|
K. Beckwith | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. McClainÂ
36 DB
|
R. McClain | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. McCoyÂ
93 DT
|
G. McCoy | 2-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ElliottÂ
35 DB
|
J. Elliott | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. RussellÂ
95 DE
|
R. Russell | 1-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. BakerÂ
90 DT
|
C. Baker | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. GrimesÂ
24 CB
|
B. Grimes | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. GholstonÂ
92 DE
|
W. Gholston | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. ClarkeÂ
94 DE
|
W. Clarke | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. McDonaldÂ
98 DT
|
C. McDonald | 0-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. SiligaÂ
96 DT
|
S. Siliga | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
P. MurrayÂ
7 K
13 FPTS
|
P. Murray | 4/5 | 41 | 1/1 | 13 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. AngerÂ
9 P
|
B. Anger | 1 | 50.0 | 0 | 50 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
C. SimsÂ
34 RB
1 FPTS
|
C. Sims | 1 | 13.0 | 13 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
C. NewtonÂ
1 QB
15 FPTS
|
C. Newton | 16/25 | 160 | 0 | 1 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. AndersonÂ
3 QB
0 FPTS
|
D. Anderson | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
C. NewtonÂ
1 QB
15 FPTS
|
C. Newton | 14 | 52 | 1 | 17 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. McCaffreyÂ
22 RB
4 FPTS
|
C. McCaffrey | 9 | 39 | 0 | 10 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. StewartÂ
28 RB
1 FPTS
|
J. Stewart | 7 | 19 | 0 | 6 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. WhittakerÂ
43 RB
0 FPTS
|
F. Whittaker | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
B. BersinÂ
11 WR
4 FPTS
|
B. Bersin | 4 | 3 | 45 | 0 | 23 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. ByrdÂ
18 WR
3 FPTS
|
D. Byrd | 2 | 1 | 31 | 0 | 31 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. OlsenÂ
88 TE
2 FPTS
|
G. Olsen | 6 | 3 | 27 | 0 | 11 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. ClayÂ
12 WR
2 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 4 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. McCaffreyÂ
22 RB
4 FPTS
|
C. McCaffrey | 4 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 12 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. FunchessÂ
17 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Funchess | 4 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
F. WhittakerÂ
43 RB
0 FPTS
|
F. Whittaker | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. StewartÂ
28 RB
1 FPTS
|
J. Stewart | 1 | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 | 1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
K. ColemanÂ
20 FS
|
K. Coleman | 8-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BradberryÂ
24 CB
|
J. Bradberry | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WorleyÂ
26 CB
|
D. Worley | 4-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. KuechlyÂ
59 MLB
|
L. Kuechly | 3-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AdamsÂ
29 SS
|
M. Adams | 2-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. HortonÂ
96 DE
|
W. Horton | 1-1 | 1.5 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ShortÂ
99 DT
|
K. Short | 1-4 | 1.5 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. LoveÂ
93 DE
|
K. Love | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AddisonÂ
97 DE
|
M. Addison | 1-2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JonesÂ
42 FS
|
C. Jones | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. MayoÂ
55 MLB
|
D. Mayo | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Green-ThompsonÂ
54 OLB
|
S. Green-Thompson | 1-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PeppersÂ
90 DE
|
J. Peppers | 1-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. ButlerÂ
92 DT
|
V. Butler | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. SeymourÂ
27 CB
|
K. Seymour | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MunnerlynÂ
41 DB
|
C. Munnerlyn | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. CoxÂ
64 DE
|
B. Cox | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. LotuleleiÂ
98 DT
|
S. Lotulelei | 0-2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
G. GanoÂ
9 K
10 FPTS
|
G. Gano | 3/3 | 30 | 1/2 | 10 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. PalardyÂ
5 P
|
M. Palardy | 3 | 39.7 | 2 | 46 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. ByrdÂ
18 WR
3 FPTS
|
D. Byrd | 3 | 48.7 | 103 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
F. WhittakerÂ
43 RB
0 FPTS
|
F. Whittaker | 2 | 9.5 | 19 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. CoxÂ
64 DE
0 FPTS
|
B. Cox | 1 | 13.0 | 13 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. Clay 12 WR
2 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 1 | 3.0 | 3 | 0 |