CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cam Newton threw for 171 yards and a touchdown and ran for 60 yards and another score, and the Carolina Panthers defeated the Oakland Raiders 17-6 on Sunday.
The Panthers held the Raiders to 189 total yards and 12 first downs in a game featuring several shoving matches, plenty of heated exchanges and six unnecessary roughness penalties -- including one that sidelined Oakland quarterback Carson Palmer for the day.
Even Newton drew a flag after bumping an official with his chest for what he perceived as the latest in a series of late hits by Raiders defenders. Newton was not ejected.
Newton and the Panthers built a 14-3 lead at halftime and let linebacker Luke Kuechly and defensive end Greg Hardy do the rest.
Oakland's offense was essentially rendered useless after Hardy delivered a blow to Palmer's back late in the first quarter. Matt Leinart managed only 115 yards passing in three-plus quarters.
Newton accounted for 231 of the 271 yards for the Panthers (6-9), who have now won four of their last five under coach Ron Rivera.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
To re-live Newton's performance against the Raiders in high definition online, get NFL Game Rewind