Panthers down Cards, Ravens stop Steelers in playoffs

Quarterback Cam Newton’s two touchdown passes and a stellar effort from the Carolina defense lifted the Panthers to a 27-16 NFL playoff victory over Arizona on Saturday.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes, including one to Crockett Gillmore that gave the Ravens a 30-15 lead with less than eight minutes to play.

Newton connected on touchdown passes with Fozzy Whittaker and Mike Tolbert in the third quarter as the Panthers erased a 14-13 halftime deficit.

With third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley at the helm, the Cardinals notched a mere 78 net yards for the game — the fewest by one team in a playoff game in NFL history.

Lindley threw a touchdown pass to Darren Fells in the second quarter, but was intercepted twice and finished with just 82 yards.

Jonathan Stewart added 123 rushing yards and a touchdown for the Panthers, who notched their fifth straight win.