Charlotte, N.C.• Cam Newton ran for 86 yards and a touchdown and the Carolina Panthers stormed back from an early 10-point deficit and then held on to beat the Atlanta Falcons 20-17 on Sunday in a key NFC South matchup.
The Panthers spotted the Falcons 10 points before Newton and the ground game got rolling. Carolina ran for 201 yards, including a career-high 66 and a touchdown from rookie Christian McCaffrey.
Devin Funchess had five receptions for 86 yards in his first game as Carolina's No. 1 receiver after the team traded Kelvin Benjamin earlier in the week.