Newton's 3 TDs lead Panthers past Saints 27-22

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton threw for 315 yards and a pair of touchdowns to tight end Greg Olsen and also ran for a score, and the Carolina Panthers defeated the New Orleans Saints 27-22 on Sunday.

Luke McCown, starting in place of the injured Drew Brees, completed 31 of 38 passes for 310 yards but it wasn't enough to save the Saints (0-3) from falling three games back in the NFC South.

It was the first game Brees has missed because of injury since joining the Saints in 2006.

Newton ran for a 13-yard TD on a bootleg as the Panthers started 3-0 for the first time since reaching the Super Bowl in the 2003 season.

Olsen had eight catches for a career-high 134 yards and had two 11-yard TD catches.

Panthers cornerback Josh Norman sealed the game with a leaping interception in the end zone with 1:09 remaining.

Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly missed his second straight game due to a concussion.

WSOC