CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cam Newton took it as a challenge when the Carolina Panthers defense vaulted to the league’s No. 1 ranking.
He said it was time for the offense to match that mark.
Newton did his part on Monday night, throwing for 254 yards and four touchdowns and running for 95 more as the Panthers piled up a franchise-record 548 yards in a 45-21 rout of the Miami Dolphins.
“It’s nice to see them have this type of breakout game,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said.
Newton improved to 5-1 on Monday night games during his career.