Newton lifts Panthers over Patriots 24-20

QB throws for 209 yards, 3 TDs as Panthers hold off Patriots for 6th straight win

Officials separate Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) and New England Patriots' Aqib Talib (31) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) reacts after making a first down against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cam Newton threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn Jr. with 59 seconds left and the Carolina Panthers held off the New England Patriots 24-20 Monday night for their sixth straight victory when officials picked up a penalty flag on the final play.

Stephen Gostkowski’s 26-yard field goal put the Patriots up 20-17 before Newton drove Carolina 83 yards on 13 plays for the go-ahead touchdown. The speedy Ginn escaped Kyle Arrington along the left sideline and outraced Logan Ryan to the left pylon for his third touchdown of the season.

Newton completed 19 of 28 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns.

Tom Brady didn’t go down without a fight.

With 59 seconds and three timeouts to work with, Brady got the Patriots to the Carolina 18 with 3 seconds left but was intercepted in the end zone by safety Robert Lester as time expired.

Officials initially threw a flag on the play, apparently for pass interference, but then waved it off.