The Carolina Panthers extended their unbeaten start to the NFL season to 10 games with a 44-16 thrashing of the Washington Redskins.

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton threw for a franchise-record five touchdowns, connecting with different receivers on each occasion.

He finished with 246 yards after completing 21 of 34 passes at Bank of America Stadium and the Panthers (10-0) are cruising atop the NFC South.

Two other contenders met in Minneapolis with the Green Bay Packers rolling to a 30-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings to regain control of the NFC South.

The NFC-West leading Arizona Cardinals claimed a 34-31 win against the Cincinnati Bengals after a late Chandler Catanzaro field goal.

The Denver Broncos are in control of the AFC West and improved to 8-2 with a 17-15 victory against the Chicago Bears.

Brock Osweiler, replacing the injured Peyton Manning, threw for two TDs and 250 yards.

Injuries to Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett overshadowed the Baltimore Ravens' 16-13 win over the St Louis Rams.

Tony Romo returned and helped the Dallas Cowboys snap a seven-game losing streak, overcoming the Miami Dolphins 24-14.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin had a monster game in his side's 45-17 thrashing of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Martin ran for 235 yards on 27 carries and rookie quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 246 yards and five touchdown passes in the rout.

Seahawks rookie Thomas Rawls ran for 209 yards and a touchdown in Seattle's 29-13 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Adam Vinatieri kicked a 43-yard field goal with less than a minute remaining to see the Indianapolis Colts past the Atlanta Falcons 24-21.

The Detroit Lions edged the Oakland Raiders 18-13, the Houston Texans beat the New York Jets 24-17 and the Kansas City Chiefs eased past the San Diego Chargers 33-3.