Cam Newton leads phenomenal comeback to topple the Eagles

Frank Schwab
·NFL writer

When the fourth quarter started in Philadelphia, the Carolina Panthers trailed the Eagles 17-0. There’s no shame in losing to the world champs on the road. No big deal

Cam Newton wouldn’t let it happen.

Newton led one of the best comebacks of the NFL season, given the circumstances. He led three touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, the final one coming with 1:22 left to Greg Olsen on third-and-goal to get the Panthers a huge 21-17 win.

The chances of the Panthers leaving Philadelphia with a good feeling were slim when the fourth quarter started.

Cam Newton’s heroics topple the Super Bowl champs

The fourth quarter started with Carolina in its own territory facing a third-and-1, and a 17-0 deficit after getting shut down in the first three quarters. Newton ran for a first down. He then completed a bunch of passes all the way down the field, and receiver Curtis Samuel took an end-around run to the end zone for a score. At the time that looked like it was just making the final score look better for Carolina.

But the Panthers kept getting defensive stops and Newton kept marching the Panthers. He hit Devin Funchess for an 18-yard touchdown, cutting Philadelphia’s lead to three points. Then after the Panthers forced another punt just before the two-minute warning and then Newton led an easy drive downfield and gave the Panthers the lead on Olsen’s touchdown. It was an incredible performance by the Panthers, and Newton in particular.

The Eagles, however, made it interesting in the final minute.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton kisses the pylon after tripping over it while celebrating a touchdown pass to tight end Greg Olsen. (AP)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton kisses the pylon after tripping over it while celebrating a touchdown pass to tight end Greg Olsen. (AP)

Panthers come up with one final stop

A long pass interference call put the Eagles in Panthers territory. Then there was some controversy.

Panthers safety Eric Reid — now a household name due to his demonstrations during the national anthem for social justice and the NFL’s subsequent reluctance to sign him as a free agent this offseason — seemed to get an interception. But it was reversed because officials said the ball hit the ground, although it seemed Reid cradled the ball as he went to the ground.

No matter. Wes Horton sacked Carson Wentz on fourth-and-2, forcing a fumble and ending the game.

Newton has led some great comebacks before — the most famous wasn’t even in the NFL, but his huge comeback win over Alabama during his Heisman season at Auburn — but this one must have been sweet, given how the Eagles dominated play for three quarters.

More from Yahoo Sports:
• Bowl projections: Big Ten leader Michigan in running for CFP spot
• Tim Brown: Yasiel Puig puts mustard on Dodgers’ NL pennant
• Rondo-CP3 brawl grips NBA during LeBron’s home debut in L.A.
• Pete Thamel: 10 takeaways include Ohio State’s shocking loss at Purdue

– – – – – – –

Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Subscribe to The Yahoo Sports NFL Podcast
 Apple Podcasts• Stitcher • Google Podcasts