December 20, 2015 http://twitter.com/NFL345

SEVEN FROM SUNDAY – WEEK 15

A look at seven statistical highlights from games played at 1:00 p.m. ET and 4:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 20, the 15th week of the 2015 season.

 The defeated the New York Giants 38-35 to improve to 14-0 for the first time in team history. The Panthers, who have already clinched the NFC South division title and a first-round bye, can secure home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with an Arizona loss tonight.

The Panthers are the fourth team in the Super Bowl era to start a season 14-0, joining the 1972 Dolphins, 2007 New England Patriots and 2009 Indianapolis Colts. All three of those clubs advanced to the Super Bowl, with the Dolphins winning Super Bowl VII.

The , who play at Philadelphia tonight, have already secured a playoff berth and can clinch the NFC West with a win over the Eagles.

The GREEN BAY PACKERS, who defeated Oakland 30-20, clinched a playoff spot. The , who knocked off Cleveland 30-13, also secured a playoff berth.

The NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, who defeated Tennessee 33-16, have clinched a first-round bye for the sixth consecutive season, the longest streak of any NFL team since the current playoff format began in 1990.

The CINCINNATI BENGALS defeated San Francisco 24-14 and have clinched a playoff berth for the fifth consecutive season, the longest streak in franchise history.

 Carolina passed for 340 yards with five and rushed for 100 yards in the Panthers’ win at the New York Giants. Newton is the first player in NFL history with at least 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards and five passes in a single game.

Newton has 3,402 passing yards and 580 rushing yards this season and is the only player in NFL history to have five different seasons with at least 3,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards. Newton has accomplished the feat in each of his five NFL seasons.

 Seattle quarterback threw three touchdown passes and no in the Seahawks’ win over Cleveland. Wilson is the first player in NFL history to pass for at least three touchdowns and no interceptions in five consecutive games.

Seahawks wide receiver DOUG BALDWIN had two touchdown catches in Seattle’s victory. Baldwin is the third player in NFL history to catch at least two touchdown passes in four consecutive games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer CRIS CARTER (1995) and CALVIN JOHNSON (2011). Baldwin has 10 touchdown receptions in Seattle’s past four games, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE (1987) for the most TD catches in a four-game span in NFL history.

 Minnesota quarterback TEDDY BRIDGEWATER completed 17 of 20 passes (85 percent) for 231 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions and rushed for a touchdown in the Vikings’ 38-17 win over Chicago. Bridgewater is the second quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 85 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and no interceptions and rush for a touchdown in a single game. Cleveland’s FRANK RYAN accomplished the feat on December 12, 1964.

Washington’s completed 22 of 28 passes (78.6 percent) for 319 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions and rushed for a touchdown in the Redskins’ 35-25 win over Buffalo.

Today marked the first day in NFL history two (Bridgewater and Cousins) each completed at least 75 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and no interceptions and rushed for a touchdown in a single game.

 The NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS improved to 12-2 and became the second team in NFL history with at least 12 regular-season wins in six consecutive seasons. New England joins the Indianapolis Colts, who posted at least 12 regular-season wins in seven consecutive seasons from 2003-09, as the only teams to accomplish the feat.

New England quarterback passed for 267 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions for a 107.7 against the Titans. Brady, who leads the NFL with 35 touchdown passes, joins PEYTON MANNING (four) as the only players in NFL history with at least 35 touchdown passes in four different seasons.

 The won their eighth consecutive game and improved to 9-5 by defeating Baltimore 34-14. The Chiefs are the only team in NFL history to win eight consecutive games immediately following a five-game losing streak in the same season.

Chiefs rookie cornerback MARCUS PETERS had a 90-yard return touchdown and safety TYVON BRANCH posted a 73-yard -return touchdown against the Ravens, as Kansas City became the first team in NFL history to have a 90+ yard interception return- touchdown and a 70+ yard fumble-return touchdown in the same game.

 Pittsburgh wide receiver ANTONIO BROWN had 16 catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns in the Steelers’ 34-27 win against Denver. Brown, who leads the AFC and ranks second in the NFL with 116 receptions, joins WES WELKER (2007-09) as the only players in NFL history with three consecutive 110-catch seasons. Brown led the NFL with 129 catches in 2014 and ranked second in the league with 110 catches in 2013.

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