Newton keeps Panthers perfect as quarterbacks star
On a day when three NFL play-off contenders needed their quarterbacks to perform, Cam Newton, Kirk Cousins and Teddy Bridgewater delivered.
Cam Newton helped the Carolina Panthers stay unbeaten in the NFL as quarterbacks performed on Sunday.
Newton had five touchdown passes as the Panthers improved to 14-0 with a 38-35 win over the New York Giants.
The quarterback threw for 340 yards and ran for another 100 to bolster his potential MVP status.
But the Panthers needed a late 43-yard field goal from Graham Gano to secure their win after the Giants had staged a fightback.
Kirk Cousins was in MVP form for the Washington Redskins, who claimed a 35-25 win against the Buffalo Bills.
He threw for 319 yards and four TDs as the Redskins (7-7) took over sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
Teddy Bridgewater starred in the Minnesota Vikings' 38-17 victory over the Chicago Bears.
Bridgewater went 17 of 20 for 231 yards and four touchdowns and also ran for 17 yards and a fifth score to help the Vikings (9-5) keep pace with the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers (10-4).
The Packers clinched a play-off berth with their 30-20 win over the Oakland Raiders and the Giants' loss.
Also clinching play-off spots on Sunday were the Seattle Seahawks and Cincinnati Bengals.
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks were too good for Johnny Manziel's Cleveland Browns 30-13, while the Bengals downed the San Francisco 49ers 24-14.
The Arizona Cardinals clinched the NFC West thanks to a 40-17 thrashing of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Houston Texans lost quarterback T.J. Yates to a knee injury as they broke a tie in the AFC South with a 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
The New England Patriots were 33-16 winners against the Tennessee Titans and the Kansas City Chiefs brushed past the Baltimore Ravens 34-14.
The Atlanta Falcons ended a six-game losing streak by beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-17, while the San Diego Chargers defeated the Miami Dolphins 30-14.
Ben Roethlisberger led the Pittsburgh Steelers past the Denver Broncos 34-27 with three touchdown passes.