The Blitz Read: Panthers paving road to homefield advantage

Ron Clements

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The Blitz Read: Panthers paving road to homefield advantage image

If you're still doubting the Panthers, you're not paying attention.

The Panthers remained undefeated through 10 games with a dominating 44-16 win at Bank of America Stadium over the visiting Redskins. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is on fire. He's an MVP candidate because he's getting everybody involved. Newton threw for a franchise-record five touchdowns on Sunday, connecting with five different receivers on scoring strikes and completing passes to eight different players. 

MORE: Best photos from Week 11 | Why is nobody criticizing Cam Newton after Sunday's win?

Barring some kind of collapse over the last six games, the Panthers are poised to gain homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs and they're having fun doing it. 

Two other NFC contenders met Sunday in Minneapolis with the Packers rolling to a 30-13 win over the Vikings to regain control of the NFC North. And the Cardinals (8-2) bested the Bengals 34-31 by way of Carson Palmer's four touchdown passes and a last-second field goal.

While the Bengals (8-2), Patriots (9-0) and Broncos (8-2) are the clear frontrunners in their respective divisions, the rest of the AFC playoff picture is still muddled. But the Chiefs are climbing their way back into contention, thanks to a suffocating defense that shut down the Chargers on Sunday. The 33-3 loss to the Chiefs spoiled a halftime ceremony to retire the No. 21 jersey of former Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson. 

Injury report

Falcons running back Devonta Freeman was evaluated for a concussion early in the 24-21 loss to the Colts and did not return. 

Ravens running back Justin Forsett suffered a broken right arm in the first quarter of the 16-13 win over the Rams.  

The Ravens also lost starting quarterback Joe Flacco for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. 

Eagles tight end Zach Ertz also had his day end with a concussion after he landed on his head after hurdling Buccaneers cornerback Sterling Moore.

The Jets lost Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis and center Nick Mangold with injuries in their 24-17 loss to the Texans. Coach Todd Bowles said Revis suffered a concussion during the second half of the game while Mangold, a six-time Pro Bowler, had a severe cut on his right hand between the "fourth and fifth fingers on snapping hand."

Chiefs running back Charcandrick West sprained his hamstring in the third quarter against the Chargers and didn't return to the game. Coach Andy Reid said West is day to day.

We remember you

Tony Romo's return helped the Cowboys snap a seven-game losing streak with a 24-14 win over the Dolphins. 

Romo completed his first pass attempt of the game, a left-handed shot put throw from the end zone to avoid a sack and pick up 9 yards. 

Romo, who finished 18 of 28 for 227 yards, later threw his first touchdown since the season opener with a 31-yard pass to Terrance Williams. 

He later threw a touchdown pass to Dez Bryant, which broke a 14-14 tie in the fourth quarter. It was the 50th time Bryant and Romo connected for a score to set a franchise record previously held by Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin. 

The new guys

It was a happy birthday for Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler, who made his first start of the season against the Bears. Osweiler threw for 250 yards and two scores as the Broncos left Soldier Field with a 17-15 win. Osweiler may have earned the right to start even after Peyton Manning returns from a foot injury. 

Things didn't work out so well for Rams quarterback Case Keenum, who was starting in place of the struggling Nick Foles. Keenum fumbled three times, losing two of them, as the Rams committed four total turnovers in a 16-13 loss to the Ravens. Keenum completed only 12 of his 26 pass attempts for 136 yards and a 30-yard touchdown to tight end Lance Kendricks.

Dig-Dug Dougernaut

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin had a monster game in Tampa's 45-17 spanking of the Eagles. Martin ran for 235 yards on 27 carries and rookie quarterback threw for 246 yards and five touchdown passes in the rout. 

Martin was also the last NFL player to rush for at least 230 yards when he went for 251 yards and four scores against the Raiders in 2012. Martin's 235 yards without a touchdown are the second-most single-game total without a score behind Barry Sanders' 238 yards against the Bucs in 1994. 

Seahawks are 'Rawl-ing'

Seahawks rookie Thomas Rawls ran for 209 yards and a touchdown in Seattle's 29-13 win over the 49ers. While filling in for injured starter Marshawn Lynch, Rawls did something Lynch has never done. Rawls became the first Seahawks running back since Shaun Alexander in 2006 to rush for more than 200 yards in a game. Rawls added 46 receiving yards and a touchdown on three receptions to go over 250 yards from scrimmage, the first Seahawks player to do that since Alexander ran for a franchise-record 266 yards in 2001. Rawls' total on Sunday was the third-highest scrimmage total in franchise history. 

Highlight reel

Playing defense in the NFL is becoming nearly impossible. Just ask Redskins cornerback Chris Culliver, who had a pick-six negated because of an unnecessary roughness penalty when he broke up a pass to Panthers tight end Greg Olsen and snatched the ball out of the air. 

Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins had his way against Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. Hopkins caught five passes for 118 yards, including an incredible one-handed grab on the sideline to go with two touchdowns in Houston's 24-17 win.

Hopkins wasn't the only one catching touchdown passes, with running back Alfred Blue hauling in a 21-yard pass from wide receiver Cecil Shorts on a trick play.

Chiefs defensive tackle Dontari Poe, who weighs 346 pounds, became the heaviest player in NFL history to score an offensive touchdown in Kansas City's 33-3 destruction of the Chargers.

Packers receiver James Jones scored for the first time in four games on a gorgeous 27-yard catch, complete with the toe drag. 

Carson Palmer led a six-play, 70-yard drive with 58 seconds remaining to set up this 32-yard field by Chandler Cantanzaro to give Palmer the win against his former team.

Sunday's games

Colts 24, Falcons 21
Ravens 16, Rams 13
Panthers 44, Redskins 16
Broncos 17, Bears 15
Lions 18, Raiders 13
Texans 24, Jets 17
Cowboys 24, Dolphins 14
Buccaneers 45, Eagles 17
Chiefs 33, Chargers 3
Packers 30, Vikings 13
Seahawks 29, 49ers 13
Cardinals 34, Bengals 31

Monday's game

Bills at Patriots, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Ron Clements