Cam Newton threw five touchdown passes as the Carolina Panthers celebrated their NFC South division title with a dramatic late 41-38 win away to New Orleans Saints this morning.
Atlanta Falcons' defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday handed the Panthers the regional title for the third year on the trot.
Not that this morning's affair was a dead rubber for Ron Rivera's side, who were the only undefeated outfit left in the NFL 2015 season, though that distinction was heavily under threat in the first quarter.
The home side began the contest in a dominant fashion and they inevitably took the lead through Benjamin Watson, who made use of a 14-yarder from Drew Brees to complete the touchdown.
The Saints were soon 14-0 ahead before the conclusion of the first, this time as Stephone Anthony capitalised on a 31-yard fumble return to push the hosts into a strong lead.
The Panthers responded positively at the start of the second quarter, however, and they found a route back into the game thanks to Mike Tolbert, as he caught hold of a 13-yard pass from Newton to move the scores to 14-7.
Things grew even more promising for Carolina just a few minutes later, as they moved within touching distance of the Saints, this time as Jonathan Stewart completed a five-yard rush, before seeing Graham Gano fail with the extra attempt.
Thankfully for New Orleans, they were able to press on into a very slender advantage come the break, with Anthony profiting from a defensive two-point attempt having recovered a blocked kick.
Newton dazzled in the third quarter, setting up Ted Ginn Jr and David Funchess as the visitors moved 27-16 ahead, but Brandin Cooks and a two-point conversion reduced the deficit to three.
The Panthers' unbeaten record then came under serious threat in the fourth quarter when touchdowns from Brandon Coleman and Mark Ingram, either side of another from Ginn Jr, saw New Orleans hold a slender four-point lead with four minutes to go.
However, Jerricho Cotchery latched on to a fifth touchdown pass from Newton with 70 seconds left on the clock to snatch the victory.
Shane Callaghan
