Panthers 17, Browns 13
Panthers 17, Browns 13: Jonathan Stewart rushed for 122 yards and caught the winning touchdown pass as host Carolina rallied to stay alive in the NFC South race.
Cam Newton returned from a one-game absence and went 18-of-31 for 201 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Panthers (6-8-1), who will travel to Atlanta for a showdown to decide the division next week. Newton added 63 yards and a score on the ground as Carolina outgained Cleveland 404-228.
Cleveland rookie Johnny Manziel went 3-of-8 for 32 yards before suffering a hamstring injury in the first half and being replaced by Brian Hoyer, who was 7-of-13 for 134 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Jordan Cameron made three catches for 88 yards and a TD for the Browns (7-8).
The teams traded field goals early before Newton's 2-yard touchdown run sent the Panthers into halftime with a 10-3 advantage. Garrett Hartley's second field goal of the day pulled the Browns within four, and Hoyer hit Cameron for an 81-yard scoring pass with 9:59 remaining in the fourth quarter to give Cleveland its first lead.
The Panthers answered with a seven-play, 66-yard drive, regaining the advantage when Newton scrambled and found Stewart for a 9-yard TD with 7:07 left. After a defensive stop, Carolina put it away when Stewart cut back and broke free for a 30-yard run to the Cleveland 10, allowing the Panthers to run out the clock.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Cameron's TD reception was the longest pass of Hoyer's career, and the longest scoring catch by a Browns player on the road since Paul Warfield's 82-yarder in 1969. … The Browns have recorded at least one interception in 11 straight games and have 21 on the season, their most since recording 23 in 2008. … Newton's rushing touchdown was the 32nd of his career, tying Terry Bradshaw and Fran Tarkenton for 13th on the all-time list among quarterbacks.