With a win over Johnny Manziel and the Cleveland Browns, the National Football League's (NFL) Carolina Panthers move into first place with a stunning victory (17-13) from the recovering Cam Newton.

Weeks earlier, Newton was part of a vehicular accident that left his truck overturned. Now, after only 12 days, Newton and the Panthers never quit on the season and now have a chance to repeat as NFC South champions.

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Newton threw for one touchdown and ran for another; both touchdowns contributing to the win that would allow the Panthers to take sole possession of first place in the division.

With this win, it has set up a winner-take-all showdown next Sunday at Atlanta between the Panthers (now 6-8-1) and the Falcons (6-9). Winner takes home the division title. It also guarantees a team without even a .500 record will win the NFC South.

No matter who the winner is, they will join the 2010 Seattle Seahawks as the only teams to reach the postseason in a non-strike-shortened season with a losing record. The Panthers have won three straight games after going two months without a victory.

The Browns on the other hand (7-8 in the league) were eliminated from contention when the San Diego charger beat the San Francisco 49ers last Saturday.

Newton threw for 201 yards and ran for 63. All this coming after the quarterback suffered two fractures in his lower back following the accident. Jonathan Stewart ran for 122 yards and caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Newton.

Manziel on the other hand wasn't so successful. He made his second NFL start for the Browns, but left with 1:49 left in the first half with a hamstring injury. He did not return.

The Panthers fans let Manziel know what they thought about his performance and injury. Newton though, spoke up and said that the fans' reaction was classless.

"Anytime a person is hurt, you don't celebrate," said Newton.

Tagsjohnny manziel, Cam Newton, NFL, Football, Carolina Panthers, cleveland browns