Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton and wide receiver Brandon LaFell have the highlight of the day so far. Newton hit LaFell for a 91-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter of their Week 16 game against Tampa Bay. It was the longest touchdown pass in franchise history for the Panthers.
This has been a big day for Newton, who continues to make the case for the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. On the Panthers’ first possession of the game, Newton broke Peyton Manning’s single-season rookie record for passing yards. With 116 passing yards so far in this game, Newton now has 3,838 yards for the season.
Newton now has 18 passing touchdowns and 16 interceptions for the season.
The first overall pick in this year’s draft also has the record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. He scored his 13th rushing touchdown in Week 13 against these same Buccaneers. He actually scored three rushing touchdowns in that game.