Cam Newton threw three touchdown passes and broke a 49-yard scoring run as the Carolina Panthers demolished the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-16 on Saturday.

Newton set an NFL record with his 14th rushing TD late in the third quarter. He was 12 for 17 for 171 yards in helping the Panthers to their fourth win in five games.

The Panthers outscored the Buccaneers 86-35 in sweeping the season series and sent Tampa Bay (4-10) to its ninth consecutive defeat.

Carolina (6-9) drove 80 yards on nine plays to open the game, capped off by DeAngelo Williams’ 8-yard run. Newton was 3 of 3 for 20 yards, enough to break Peyton Manning’s rookie record for yards in a season.

After the Panthers made it 10-0, the Bucs scored on their own 80-yard drive early in the second quarter. The 15-play drive, capped off by Arrelious Benn’s 5-yard catch, was the longest for Tampa this season.

The Panthers made it 17-7 when Newton, throwing from his end zone, hit wide receiver Brandon LaFell for a 91-yard catch-and-run TD. It was the longest passing play in franchise history.

Early in the third quarter, Williams ran in his second TD, a 22-yard dash to give the Panthers a 27-10 lead. Jonathan Nelson, playing in his first NFL game, intercepted Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman to set up the score.

The Panthers made it 48-10 after Jonathan Stewart’s 11-yard touchdown reception, Newton’s 49-yard score and Jeremy Shockey’s 8-yard TD catch.

Freeman punched in a late TD for the Bucs. Freeman ended the day 28 for 38 with one TD and one interception.

• Carolina will play their next game on the road against New Orleans. The Panthers have a W/L % of .400 after a win and .400 after a loss.
• Tampa Bay will play their next game on the road against Atlanta. The Buccaneers have a W/L % of .267 after a win and .267 after a loss.