CHARLOTTE, N. Brandon Belt Authentic .C. -- Cam Newton walked into the press conference Sunday afternoon, flashed that familiar smile and gave a tip of the hat to his former college team. "War Eagle. War Eagle. War. Damn. Eagle," Newton said. Less than 24 hours after the Auburn Tigers pulled off an incredible victory over No. 1 Alabama, Newton had another reason to smile. Carolinas third-year quarterback capped a memorable weekend by throwing for 263 yards and two touchdowns and "Superman" leaped over the pile for another score as the Panthers (9-3) defeated Tampa Bay 27-6 Sunday for a franchise-record eighth straight regular season victory. "It wasnt prototypical, or the way we wanted to win, but we found a way to win and thats the most encouraging part about it," said Newton, who rebounded from two interceptions. The victory set up a huge game next Sunday night in New Orleans against the Saints with first place in the NFC South on the line. "Were ready," said fullback Mike Tolbert, who had 48 yards rushing and 41 yards receiving in the win. "Around here we pride ourselves on being able to follow up one game with another." The Panthers outgained the Buccaneers (3-9) 426-206. Newton ran for 68 yards, 53 on a first quarter run to set up Carolinas first touchdown. Newton, who led Auburn to a national championship and won a Heisman Trophy with the Tigers, is enjoying the best stretch of this professional career with 13 touchdown passes and five TDs rushing during the win streak. Carolinas defence came in allowing an NFL-low 13.7 points per game and forced two turnovers and sacked rookie Mike Glennon five times to snap Tampa Bays three-game winning streak. Glennon had thrown a touchdown pass in an NFL record eight straight games to start his career, but the Panthers kept the Bucs out of the end zone. The Panthers have not lost since a 22-6 defeat on the road to Arizona on Oct. 6 and confidence is at an all-time high in the locker room. "There is no roof, no sky," defensive end Greg Hardy said. "Were going up. Every person on this team, every coach on this team has the same mentality right now. I feel like its contagious. Fans are getting it. They feel like they cant be beat." The turning point came in the second quarter with the Panthers holding a 7-6 lead. Glennon rolled left on third-and-goal at the Carolina 4 and had the ball inexplicably slip out of his throwing hand without being touched and Panthers defensive tackle Dwan Edwards pounced on the loose ball at the 17. "It just slipped out of my hand, and it really hurt us because we would have gotten at least three points," Glennon said. The Panthers cashed in with a 23-yard field goal by Graham Gano. Newton made it 17-6 with 25 seconds left in the half when coach Ron Rivera went for it on fourth-and-goal at the 1. With fans holding signs that read "Riverboat Ron" in the stands, Newton dove headfirst over the pile, extending the ball over the goal line. The Panthers are now 8 of 9 when going for it on fourth-and-1 since his teams Week 2 loss to Buffalo, a big reason for Carolinas turnaround. It was all Panthers in the second half. Safety Mike Mitchell intercepted Glennon on the opening drive and Newton quickly took advantage. He moved the Panthers 78 yards in four plays, connecting on a 36-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn Jr., who beat Darrelle Revis on a double move. Glennon was 14 of 21 for 80 yards with an interception. "I dont know if it was a step back, but maybe he looked a little more like a rookie than hes looked in the past," Bucs coach Greg Schiano said. "The ball slips out of his hand going to his left. Thats an awkward deal, and unfortunate, but it happened. The throw to Vincent (Jackson) that gets intercepted and the flag gets picked up, it just didnt look like it came off his hand cleanly. Im not sure if theres any reason." Its hard to imagine the Panthers now have a shot at a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs after starting the season 1-3, when talk was rampant about Riveras future with the team. "Its unbelievable," said defensive end Wes Horton, who had two of Carolinas sacks. "When we were 1-3 it was tense, we were trying to find ourselves as a team. And now were rolling and everyone is one the same page." NOTES: Revis left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder and chest injury and did not return. He will be reevaluated on Monday. ... Greg Olsen had 85 yards receiving on five catches. ... Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith moved into 20th in NFL yards receiving, passing Derrick Mason and Hines Ward. ... RB Jonathan Stewart started for Carolina in place of DeAngelo Williams, who sat with a quadriceps bruise. Gaylord Perry Orange Jersey . Louis Cardinals. J.J. Hardy hit two of the Orioles season-high six home runs, and Baltimore cruised to a 12-2 victory Friday night to move a season-high 17 games over .500. It was a rare blowout for the Orioles, who scored three runs or fewer in 11 of their 20 previous games and have played 63 games decided by one or two runs. Buster Posey Orange Jersey . China defeated Myanmar 3-0 while South Korea blanked Thailand 4-0 at the AFC Womens Asian Cup to secure top-two finishes in the Group B standings. Three more Asian countries will book their World Cup tickets by Wednesday.EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Adrian Peterson shouldnt have any reason to get "hot" at Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier this week. Peterson returned to practice for Minnesota on Friday and is expected to play in Sundays game at Cincinnati as long as he doesnt have any setbacks with his sprained right foot. The leagues second-leading rusher, Peterson is listed as questionable for the Vikings (4-9-1). "Im looking forward to playing this week," Peterson said Friday. "Get another day to rest tomorrow, which is going to be good. As far as the foot goes, Ill be ready to go." Peterson missed last weeks game after spraining his foot a week earlier at Baltimore. Though he returned to practice on a limited basis last Friday, Frazier held Peterson out of Sundays 48-30 win against Philadelphia. Frazier said it wasnt an easy conversation with Peterson, who admitted to being "hot" and devastated" about having to sit out. "Because I felt I was to the point where I was ready to go," Peterson said. "My mind was ready to get out there and play. Im in game mode and then I find out that Im not playing. No matter what I had to say, thats what it was. Thats why it was tough. Buut fortunately we got a win, so that kind of ease the pain a little bit. Orlando Cepeda Orange Jersey. " Frazier expects Peterson to play this week, but wanted to make sure the NFL MVP didnt have any setbacks prior to Sundays game. Peterson was limited in Fridays practice. "We didnt have him do every rep, but enough where he would feel confident and we would feel confident," Frazier said. "So it was encouraging with some of the things he was able to do." Peterson trails Philadelphias LeSean McCoy by 122 rushing with two games left and said he still feels the rushing title is within his grasp. "Yeah, its not over 200 yards, so its still in play," Peterson said, saying earlier: "I look at it, any competitor would want to be at the top of the game. I play this game to be the best. So with that, leading the league goes along." Minnesota should also have Petersons backup, Toby Gerhart, in the lineup after he missed last week with a hamstring injury. Hes listed as probable. The Vikings said rookie cornerback Xavier Rhodes will be out Sunday because of a sprained ankle. Tight end John Carlson is doubtful after having a relapse of concussion symptoms on Thursday. cheap nfl jerseyscheap jerseys ' ' '
