Cam Newton celebrates his game winning TD pass late in the fourth quarter.(Photo Jeremy Brevard USA TODAY Sports)
Story HighlightsCam Newton drove Panthers 83 yards on 13 plays for the game winning TD with 59 seconds leftNewton threw for 209 yards and three TDs with the game winner going 25 yards to Ted Ginn Jr.Carolina won its sixth in a row and announced itself as legit playoff threat with a signature victoryCHARLOTTE Tom Brady's pass intended for tight end Rob Gronkowski on the final play of regulation was intercepted by Carolina Panthers safety Robert Lester in the end zone. But a flag for pass interference lay in the back of the end zone.
The New England Patriots momentarily thought they were going to have an untimed down from the 1 yard line. The officials however picked up the flag ruling the foul was irrelevant since Lester picked off the pass before it reached the area where Gronkowski was and that the Patriots tight end was not in a position to compete for the ball.
BOX SCORE Panthers 24 Patriots 20
CONTROVERSY Brady confronts officials
But the final play that left many fans confused and the Patriots angry shouldn't take away from the dramatic fourth quarter touchdown drive led by quarterback Cam Newton in the Panthers' 24 20 victory.
The Panthers (7 3) hold the longest winning streak in the NFL at six games. Newton outdueled Brady owner of a 13 5 Monday Night Football record connecting on a 25 yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn Jr. with 59 seconds left.
It was Newton's third touchdown pass on a night he threw for 209 yards and ran for 62.
We made a statement we're for real Carolina safety Mike Mitchell said. We're not the same Panthers. It's our time.
TAKEAWAYS Cam Newton and the Panthers are for real
In their first Monday night home game in five years the Panthers proved themselves to be a true playoff threat heading into two NFC South showdowns against the division leading New Orleans Saints in the next five weeks.
After playing at the Miami Dolphins and hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the Panthers visit the Saints on Dec. 8 before a rematch at home on Dec. 22.
Brady and the Patriots (7 3) must turn around and face Peyton Manning and the 9 1 Denver Broncos with AFC playoff positioning at stake.
Using a spread passing attack set up by play action running Brady was poised to lead the 39th fourth quarter winning drive of his 13 year career.
He hit Gronkowski on a 23 yard seam pass on fourth down to give the Patriots first and 10 at their 43 yard line with 40 seconds left.
But on first and 10 from the Panthers 18 yard line Brady's pass intended for Gronkowski in the end zone was intercepted by Lester to seal Carolina's biggest win during the three year era of coach Ron Rivera and Newton.
Newton no longer has to carry the Panthers on his shoulders. The 2011 No. 1 overall draft pick is playing off a second ranked defense and 10th ranked run game completing a career best 63% of his passes.
The outside world will look at us differently now Panthers tight end Greg Olsen said. This is two big wins in a row (after beating the San Francisco 49ers last week). That's what Cam does. He's special.
And he played quarterback Monday not magician. Newton the quarterback with the Superman touchdown celebration showed he has come of age.
We have a whole team full of superheroes now so you can call us 'The X Men ' Newton told USA TODAY Sports.
Indeed Newton proved the X factor showcasing his tantalizing skill set to a national audience.
Problem was Brady and the Patriots refused to go away.
Brady hit rookie Kenbrell Thompkins for 37 yards setting up Stevan Ridley's 1 yard touchdown to tie things at 17 17 with 12 33 left.
Stephen Gostkowski's 26 yard field goal gave the Patriots a 20 17 lead before Newton began forging his comeback legend.
PHOTOS BEST OF WEEK 11 AROUND THE NFL
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