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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tom Brady has long owned the Monday Night Football stage.
Not this night when Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers stole the show by announcing themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders against the quarterback and team that has gone to five Super Bowls since 2001.
Newton out-dueled Brady, owner of a 13-5 Monday Night Football record to lead an electric 24-20 comeback win on Newton's 25-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn, Jr. with 59 seconds left.
BOX SCORE: Panthers 24, Patriots 20
TAKEAWAYS: Final play won't ruin big win
It was Newton's third touchdown pass on a night he threw for 209 yards and ran for 62 more to extend the surging 7-3 Panthers' win streak to six consecutive games.
In their first Monday night home game in five years, the Panthers proved themselves a real-deal playoff threat heading into two NFC South showdowns against the division-leading New Orleans Saints in the next five weeks. After road trips to Miami and Tampa Bay, the Panthers visit the Saints Dec. 8, followed by a Dec. 22 home game against the Saints.
"We made a statement we're for real," Carolina safety Mike Mitchell said. "We're not the same Panthers. It's our time."
Brady, who has 42 touchdowns and 14 interceptions on the Monday night stage, leads his team into Sunday night's showdown against Peyton Manning and the 9-1 Denver Broncos with AFC home-field advantage at stake.
CONTROVERSY: Tom Brady confronts officials after final play
Using a spread passing attack set up by play-action running, Brady was poised to lead the 39th fourth-quarter winning drive of his 13-year career.
He hit Rob Gronkowski on a 23-yard seam pass to give the Patriots 1st-and-10 at their 43-yard line with 40 seconds left.
But on 1st-and-10 from the Carolina 18-yard line, Brady's pass intended for tight end Rob Gronkowski in the end zone was intercepted by safety Robert Lester to seal Carolina's biggest win of the Ron Rivera-Newton, three-year era.
Thing is, Newton no longer has to carry the Panthers on his shoulders. The 2011 No. 1 overall pick is playing off a second-ranked defense and 10th-ranked run game, completing a career-best 63% of his passes.
"What you're seeing from Cam right now is him stepping up as a leader and him leading the Panthers to where he wants them to go," Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick told USA TODAY Sports. "I'm happy to see him playing the way he's playing.
"I look forward to him getting his team into the thick of the playoff race."
PHOTOS: BEST OF WEEK 11 AROUND THE NFL
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Officials separate Panthers receiver Steve Smith (89) and Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib during the first quarter of their Monday night contest.
Bob Donnan, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton celebrates with fans after beating the Patriots on Monday Night Football.
Bob Donnan, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) clotheslines New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) behind the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Brooks (55) was called for unnecessary roughness penalty.
John David Mercer, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Ziggy Hood (96) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field.
Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (34) runs with the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
San Diego Chargers cornerback Johnny Patrick (26) intercepts a pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline (82) during the first quarter at Sun Life Stadium.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin (11) catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chris Cook (20) during the first half at CenturyLink Field.
Steven Bisig, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) gets caught up with Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Isaiah Downing, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (80) pulls in a touchdown reception as Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) and inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) defend in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Panthers receiver Ted Ginn (19) dives into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter to beat the Patriots.
Bob Donnan, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton looks on as the bench celebrates a game winning field goal by kicker Garrett Hartley (not pictured) against the San Francisco 49ers in a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the 49ers 23-20.
Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jonathan Dwyer (27) runs with the ball as Detroit Lions outside linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) defends during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field.
Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
New York Giants running back Andre Brown (35) is tackled by Green Bay Packers linebacker Brad Jones (59) during the third quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jason Campbell (17) passes the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.
Mark Zerof, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
New Orleans Saints cornerback Jabari Greer (33) breaks up a pass to San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jon Baldwin (84) during the first quarter of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
San Diego Chargers tight end Ladarius Green (89) hauls in a catch in from of Miami Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes (21) during the first quarter at Sun Life Stadium.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) breaks a tackle by Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw (91) during the first half at Soldier Field.
Rob Grabowski, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) carries against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
John David Mercer, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a pass and is ruled out of bounds during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Soldier Field.
Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Patriots running back Stevan Ridley (22) shakes off Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) on a second-quarter carry.
Jeremy Brevard, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap reacts during the game against the Cleveland Browns. Cincinnati won 41-20.
Mark Zerof, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson (right) celebrates with teammates in the rain during the second half against the Cleveland Browns.
Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jason Worilds during the third quarter.
Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Oakland Raiders linebacker Sio Moore celebrates at the end of the game against the Houston Texans. The Raiders won 28-23.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning runs with the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the first half. The play was called back on a penalty.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Manti Te'o tackles Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill during the first half.
Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel passes during the second half against the New York Jets. The Bills won 37-14.
Kevin Hoffman, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III scrambles during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles.
John Geliebter, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson catches the ball over Atlanta Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel during the first half.
Kim Klement, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum is pressured by Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Stacy McGee. Keenum's pass was intercepted.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert McClain defends Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Brian Leonard during the first half.
Kim Klement, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt carries a United States flag onto the field as part of Salute to Service month festivities held before the game against the Oakland Raiders.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox runs back an interception during the second quarter against the Washington Redskins.
Howard Smith, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes makes a reception during the second quarter while defended by Houston Texans strong safety D.J. Swearinger.
Troy Taormina, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Buffalo Bills free safety Jairus Byrd sacks New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith during the first half.
Kevin Hoffman, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tandon Doss is tackled during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears.
Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the Washington Redskins.
Howard Smith, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Cleveland Browns running back Chris Ogbonnaya is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals free safety Reggie Nelson during the first half.
Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown celebrates after scoring a first-quarter touchdown against the Detroit Lions.
Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Buffalo Bills free safety Jairus Byrd tackles New York Jets running back Chris Ivory during the first quarter.
Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush carries the ball during the first quarter while Pittsburgh Steelers defensive backs Ryan Clark (left) and Troy Polamalu try to tackle.
Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
The Chicago Bears leave the field due to severe weather during their game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
New York Jets defenders, including recently-signed safety Ed Reed, tackle Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson during the first quarter.
Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Rob Foldy, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is hit by Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard during the first half.
Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is tackled during the first quarter by Detroit Lions defensive backs Chris Houston (left) and Glover Quin.
Jason Bridge, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson tackles Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy during the first quarter.
Howard Smith, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall is tackled by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith during the first quarter.
Rob Grabowski, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice celebrates after scoring a first-quarter touchdown against the Chicago Bears.
Rob Grabowski, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Oakland Raiders cornerback Phillip Adams (28) recovers a first-quarter fumble by Houston Texans tight end Garrett Graham.
Troy Taormina, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan throws the ball during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kim Klement, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) is pursued by Indianapolis Colts safety LaRon Landry (30) on a 30-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at LP Field.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (4) rushes against Indianapolis Colts nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin (97) and defensive end Cory Redding (90) during the first half at LP Field.
Jim Brown, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) is pressured by Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (99) at LP Field.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Indianapolis Colts running back Donald Brown (31) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field.
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY SportsFullscreen
Tennessee Titans cornerback Jason McCourty (30) breaks up a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (81) during the first half at LP Field.
Jim Brown, USA TODAY SportsFullscreenLike this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:Replay1 of 56AutoplayShow ThumbnailsShow CaptionsLast SlideNext Slide56PhotosNewton, the quarterback with the signature "Superman" touchdown celebration, showed he has come of age in his third season as a complete quarterback backed by a real-deal team.
"We have a whole team full of superheroes now, so you can call us 'The X-Men,' " Newton told USA TODAY Sports.
Indeed, Newton proved the X-Factor, showcasing his tantalizing skill set to a national audience.
Problem was, Brady and the Patriots refused to go away.
Brady hit rookie Kenbrell Thompkins for 37 yards setting up Stevan Ridley's 1-yard touchdown to tie things at 17-17 with 12:33 left.
Steven Gostkowski's 26-yard field goal gave the Patriots a 20-17 lead with 6:36 left, but that's when Newton began forging his own comeback legend.
Newton flashed his improvisational magic when he spun away from defensive end Rob Ninkovich and ran away from five defenders as he scrambled 14 yards to pick up a key third-quarter first down.
Nine plays later, Newton hit Greg Olsen for a 15-yard, third-quarter touchdown.
Trailing 10-3 at halftime, coach Bill Belichick adjusted and came out hammering power back LeGarrette Blount five times for 34 yards to set up Brady's 9-yard touchdown to Rob Gronkowski.
Follow national NFL reporter Jim Corbett on Twitter @ByJimCorbett.