The Blitz Read: Panthers clinch NFC South; Broncos, Bengals pass Patriots in AFC race

Ron Clements

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The Blitz Read: Panthers clinch NFC South; Broncos, Bengals pass Patriots in AFC race image

The Panthers had the NFC South all wrapped up before their game with the Saints began.

But the NFL's only undefeated team had a difficult time staying perfect. Cam Newton threw five touchdowns to lead the Panthers to a wild 41-38 shootout win over the Saints at the Superdome. 

MORE: 5 reasons why Newton is your MVP | Sunday's biggest surprises | Um, NFC, Seattle left a message for you

The Panthers were one of three NFL teams that could clinch a playoff spot Sunday, but were the only one to do so. Two more wins and the Panthers will lock up homefield advantage through the NFC playoffs. 

The Bengals and Patriots both had AFC playoff clinching scenarios on Sunday. The Bengals moved closer to wrapping up the AFC North with their 37-3 win over the Browns, but the Patriots suffered a 35-28 home loss to the Eagles. New England is still the prohibitive favorite in the AFC East, but the Patriots fell from first to third in the AFC, behind the Bengals and Broncos. 

Denver took over the No. 2 seed with a 17-3 win over the Chargers while the Bengals took over the top spot in the conference. The Broncos will play host to the Bengals on Dec. 28 in a game that could decide home field in the AFC. 

Injury report

Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins was evaluated for a concussion when he took a helmet-to-helmet hit by his teammate T.J. McDonald in the first quarter against the Cardinals. Jenkins did return to the game and picked off a Carson Palmer pass in the second quarter of Sunday's 27-3 loss, but later took friendly fire again when he was hit by Rams safety Mark Barron. 

Browns receiver Travis Benjamin suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter of Sunday's 37-3 loss to the Bengals. Browns fullback Malcolm Johnson also left the game with a groin injury. 

MORE: Week 13's theatrics, displayed in dramatic images | Injuries most impacting 2015

The Vikings lost a pair of defensive starters when linebacker Anthony Barr (groin) and safety Harrison Smith (hamstring) both left Sunday's 38-7 loss to the Seahawks in the first half. 

Bills running back LeSean McCoy left Sunday's 30-21 win over the Texans to be evaluated for a concussion, but did return to the game and is expected to be OK.

The Chargers saw both wide receiver Dontrelle Inman and cornerback Brandon Flowers carted off the field in the first quarter against the Broncos. Inman suffered a neck injury while Flowers had a knee injury.

Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, filling in for an injured Andrew Luck, was pulled in the fourth quarter of a 45-10 loss to the Steelers because of a shoulder injury. Coach Chuck Pagano said after the game he expects Hasselbeck to be able to play Week 14.

Mr. 1,000

Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald caught eight passes for 55 yards against the Rams on Sunday to give him 1,000 receptions for his career. He also went over 1,000 receiving yards for the seventh time in his 12-year career. 

"It's nice, but it's even better to have three consecutive seasons with 10 wins," Fitzgerald said. "That's really special. It was a great day. The personal stuff is all good. I've done all the personal stuff and that's great, but when the team is doing great, I feel like for my career to be fulfilled is a championship. Each win gets us closer."

Highlight reel

The Cardinals jumped out to a 7-0 lead on the Rams thanks to a beautiful catch by J.J. Nelson in the corner of the end zone.

Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has giant hands made of glue. If you have any doubts, Beckham was at it again Sunday with another ridiculous one-handed grab against the Jets.

The Giants also got a big play from another receiver with Dwayne Harris returning a punt 80 yards for a score, but the Giants eventually fell 23-20 in overtime. 

Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns in the 30-21 win over the Texans, but also ran 8 yards for a score.

Titans receiver Dorial Green-Beckham had a big game in Tennessee's 42-39 win over the Jaguars. The rookie caught five passes for 119 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown after he bounced off an initial tackle attempt.

A few minutes later, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, who threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns, ran for an 87-yard touchdown with a nice block downfield by Titans receiver Kendall Wright. Mariota became the first player in NFL history with at least 250 passing yards and three touchdowns and over 100 rushing yards in the same game. 

The 49ers tied their game with the Bears on a 44-yard run by quarterback Blaine Gabbert. The Niners then won the game in overtime when Gabbert connected with Torrey Smith for a 71-yard touchdown.

Mike Tolbert's 12-yard touchdown reception against the Saints was great, but the celebration by the Panthers fullback was even better.

Malcolm Jenkins' 99-yard interception return for a touchdown was a catalyst in Philadelphia's 35-28 upset win over the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. 

Sunday's games

Bills 30, Texans 21
49ers 26, Bears 20, OT
Bengals 37, Browns 3
Dolphins 15, Ravens 13
Seahawks 38, Vikings 7
Jets 23, Giants 20, OT
Cardinals 27, Rams 3
Buccaneers 23, Falcons 19
Titans 42, Jaguars 39
Chiefs 34, Raiders 20
Broncos 17, Chargers 3
Eagles 35, Patriots 28
Panthers 41, Saints 38
Steelers 45, Colts 10

Monday's game

Cowboys at Redskins, 8:30 p.m. ET 

Ron Clements