CHARLOTTE – Quarterback Cam Newton has been named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.
He won the award on the strength of a career-high five touchdown passes in Sunday's victory over Washington.
Newton is the only player in franchise history to win the award five times in his career and is the second player to win it multiple times in the same season. Running back Stephen Davis won it three times in 2003.
Against Washington, Newton completed 16-of-24 passes for 187 yards and four touchdowns – in the first half. No Panthers player had ever thrown four touchdown passes in a half, and Newton had never thrown four in a game. He added a fifth in the second half and finished 21-for-34 for 246 yards with a season-high passer rating of 123.3.
In the process, Newton became the first player in NFL history to amass 100 touchdown passes and 25 rushing touchdowns in his first five seasons. Newton has 102 touchdown passes and 39 rushing touchdowns.
The Panthers have now won four weekly awards this season. Newton also won it Week 9 against the Packers, defensive tackle Kawann Short won Week 6 against the Seahawks and cornerback Josh Norman won it Week 4 against the Buccaneers.
