CHARLOTTE – Quarterback Cam Newton has been named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Newton earned the honor for the fourth time in his four-and-a-half seasons by leading the Panthers offense to Sunday's 37-29 victory over the Green Bay Packers that improved Carolina to 8-0 for the first time in franchise history.
He threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown that tied him for second place in league history with Kordell Stewart for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. Steve Young is the all-time leader since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 with 43.
Newton, the third quarterback in NFL history with 15 games featuring two or more passing touchdowns and one or more rushing touchdown – along with Young and Fran Tarkenton – hooked up with three different receivers for scores Sunday. In addition to short scores to tight end Greg Olsen and wide receiver Devin Funchess, Newton hit Philly Brown for a 39-yard touchdown. He had two more deep strikes as well – as 52-yarder to Funchess and a 59-yarder to Jerricho Cotchery to help Carolina build a 27-7 halftime lead.
Newton has been honored as NFC Offensive Player of the Week more than anyone in team history. Kicker John Kasay was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week six times. Newton is the third Panther to be named player of the week this season, joining cornerback Josh Norman (Week 4) and defensive tackle Kawann Short (Week 6).
