CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more, and the Carolina Panthers captured the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the first time in their history with a 38-10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Newton tied Steve Young’s NFL record for most career TDs rushing by a quarterback with 43. Young took 15 seasons to reach that plateau; Newton did it in five.
Newton completed 21 of 26 passes for 293 yards as Carolina (15-1) overcame a slow start to build a 31-3 lead in the third quarter.
Rookie Devin Funchess had seven catches for 120 yards and a touchdown and Cameron Artis-Payne ran for 44 yards and a score as Carolina won its 11th straight home game.
Jameis Winston was intercepted twice, and the Bucs (6-10) finished last in the NFC South for the fourth time in five years.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL
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