Newton’s Law

Cam Newton threw five short touchdown passes as the Carolina Panthers won their 10th game in a row, demolishing the Washington Redskins 44-16 on Sunday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium.

The unbeaten Panthers scored after four Washington turnovers to continue Carolina’s best start in their history.

Newton threw a franchise-record four first-half touchdown passes and finished 21 of 34 for 246 yards without an interception.

The Redskins (4-6) have yet to win back-to-back games this season. They had surrendered a season-high point total by 68 seconds into the second half.

Wide receiver Andre Roberts’ first-quarter, 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown pulled the Redskins even at 14-14, but the Panthers scored the next 30 points.

The Panthers struck first after safety Kurt Coleman intercepted a Cousins pass and returned it 28 yards to the Washington 31-yard line. Running back Jonathan Stewart scored on a 13-yard pass from Newton.

On the next possession, Cousins helped the Redskins even the score by throwing a 56-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

The Panthers regained the lead with 41 seconds left in the opener quarter on running back Mike Tolbert’s 3-yard catch from Newton.

Newton gave the Panthers another lead with a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. midway through the second quarter.

After linebacker Luke Kuechly stripped Washington running back Matt Jones of the ball and linebacker Thomas Davis recovered the fumble, the Panthers converted again. Newton threw 5 yards to tight end Greg Olsen for a touchdown and a 28-14 lead.

Graham Gano’s 42-yard field goal on the last play of the first half made it 31-14.

Carolina cornerback Bene Benwikere caused a Cousins fumble and recovered the ball, on the first possession of the third quarter. Newton converted with a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Devin Funchess.