Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 and wide receiver Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers celebrate after they connect on a four yard touchdown pass in the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers sits on the ground after getting tackled during the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 16, 2012 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: DeAngelo Williams #34 of the Carolina Panthers resists a tackle against Antoine Cason #20 of the San Diego Chargers on December 16, 2012 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers runs off the field after scoring a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers on December 16, 2012 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Philip Rivers #17of the San Diego Chargers throws the ball to Curtis Brinkley #36 against the Carolina Panthers on December 16, 2012 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Running back DeAngelo Williams #34 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball to the end zone on a 45 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Tight end Antonio Gates #85 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates after catching a nine yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The catch tied Gates with Lance Alworth for most career touchdown catches by a Charger. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers andf linebacker Takeo Spikes #51 of the San Diego Chargers talk as they leave the field after the game at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers tucks the ball under the rush of linebacker Takeo Spikes #51 of the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers is tackled by defensive end Charles Johnson #95 and linebacker Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Tight end Antonio Gates of the San Diego Chargers jumps but can't make the catch in front of safety D.J. Campbell #26 of the Carolina Panthers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Linebacker Takeo Spikes #51 of the San Diego Chargersgoes through the inflatable tunnel during pregame introductions before the game with the Carolina Panthers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16:
Wide receiver Danario Alexander #84 of the San Diego Chargers yawns as he loosens up before the game with the Carolina Panthers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball ahead of linebacker Takeo Spikes #51 of the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers trots to his huddle in the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers scrambles against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Norv Turner of the San Diego Chargers walks on the sidelines during the game with the Carolina Panthers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers loses the ball for a fumble and a turnover in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Running back Mke Tolbert #35 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball against safety Eric Weddle #32 of the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Running back Mke Tolbert #35 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Running back DeAngelo Williams #34 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Panthers won 31-7. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Cam Newton #1 drops the ball after trying to hand it off to DeAngelo Williams #34 of the Carolina Panthers during the game against the San Diego Chargers on December 16, 2012 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Malcom Floyd #80 of the San Diego Chargers catches a pass and scores a touchdown against James Dockery #31 the Carolina Panthers on December 16, 2012 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers v San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Head Coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers talks to the referee during the game against the San Diego Chargers on December 16, 2012 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)