Cam Newton threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns and scored on a 72-yard run as the Carolina Panthers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 30-20 on Sunday.
Newton piled up a career-high 116 yards on the ground as the Panthers racked up 475 total yards to avenge an early-season loss with a dominating performance against the NFC South champion Falcons.
Carolina (4-9) came in with little to play for except to gain a measure of revenge on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, whom they felt disrespected them after Atlanta's 30-28 come-from-behind win earlier this season at the Georgia Dome.
Ryan threw for 342 yards and two scores and had a costly fourth-quarter interception.
The Panthers dominated the Falcons through 2½ quarters, opening a 23-0 lead and holding a 356-86 edge in total yards to snap a five-game losing streak against the Falcons.
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) breaks away on a touchdown run against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of their NFL football game in Charlotte, North Carolina December 9, 2012.
Photo: REUTERS
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Atlanta Falcons fullback Jason Snelling (44) works to catch a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of their NFL football game in Charlotte, North Carolina December 9, 2012.
Photo: REUTERS
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) works to control the ball after making a catch against Carolina Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (41) during the second half of their NFL football game in Charlotte, North Carolina December 9, 2012.
Photo: REUTERS
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Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) runs the ball around Atlanta Falcons defensive back Robert McClain (27) during the second half of their NFL football game in Charlotte, North Carolina December 9, 2012.
Photo: REUTERS
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (L) runs for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of their NFL football game in Charlotte, North Carolina December 9, 2012.
Photo: REUTERS
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) breaks away on a touchdown run against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of their NFL football game in Charlotte, North Carolina December 9, 2012.
Photo: REUTERS
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) looks to pass the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of their NFL football game in Charlotte, North Carolina December 9, 2012.
Photo: REUTERS
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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Louis Murphy (83) works to control a pass against Atlanta Falcons defensive back Chris Owens (21) during the second half of their NFL football game in Charlotte, North Carolina December 9, 2012.
Photo: REUTERS
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drew Davis (19) is tackled by Carolina Panthers free safety D.J. Campbell (26) during the first half of their NFL football game in Charlotte, North Carolina December 9, 2012.
Photo: REUTERS
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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates a touchdown with tight end Greg Olsen (88) against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of their NFL football game in Charlotte, North Carolina December 9, 2012.
Photo: REUTERS
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works to throw a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of their NFL football game in Charlotte, North Carolina December 9, 2012.
Photo: REUTERS
