NFL: Panthers shoot down Eagles, spoil Brown's hot debut

(Reuters) - Even an eye-catching NFL debut by running back Bryce Brown failed to halt Philadelphia's downward slide as the Carolina Panthers beat the nose-diving Eagles 30-22 on Monday.

Brown, a rookie who had never even started in college, lit up the Panthers for 178 yards rushing and two touchdowns but it was not enough to avoid a seventh successive Eagles defeat.

Both NFC teams have disappointing 3-8 records.

The Panthers have seen most of their losses come via late-game mishaps, but Cam Newton made sure there was no such outcome in Philadelphia.

"We wanted to get the momentum back on our side and finish," the second-year quarterback told reporters.

"It means a lot (doing it) on prime-time in front of America. We just have to get our confidence back and finish the season strong."

Carolina trailed 22-21 in the third before one of Philadelphia's three lost fumbles set up a go-ahead field goal by kicker Graham Gano.

Newton took over from there, capping a 60-yard drive in the fourth quarter with a two-yard running score for the winning margin.

Newton had a rare banner day in a tough season as he finished with 306 yards passing, two scores in the air and another two on the ground.