Panthers vs. Washington instant analysis: Cam Newton belongs in MVP race

Instant analysis from the Carolina Panthers’ 44-16 victory against Washington:

Cam Newton should be in MVP race.

A week after completing 81 percent of his passes at Tennessee, Newton carved up the Washington secondary. Newton threw five touchdowns to tie Steve Beuerlein’s single-game, franchise record.

Newton’s scores went to five different receivers and covered 12, 2, 3, 5 and 5 yards.

Newton was 21-of-34 for 246 yards. He did not throw an interception and finished with a season-high passer rating of 123.3.

▪  Remember when the Panthers let Indianapolis and Green Bay come storming back late in consecutive games earlier this month?

Yeah, well Carolina has cleaned that up. Granted, Tennessee and Washington are bad teams that aren’t in the same class as the Colts and Packers.

But the Panthers’ ability to keep piling on the likes of the Titans and Washington is (another) mark of a good team.

▪  The Panthers forced five takeaways and sacked Kirk Cousins five times – a week after Cousins had a perfect passer rating in a win against the Saints.

Carolina’s five forced fumbles were a franchise record. The takeaways led to 27 points.

 

This story was originally published November 22, 2015 at 4:41 PM with the headline "Panthers vs. Washington instant analysis: Cam Newton belongs in MVP race."