Panthers Pummel Vikings 35-10 at Mall of America Field [PHOTOS]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Cam Newton threw for three touchdown passes and ran for another score, and the Panthers romped past Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings 35-10 on Sunday.

Peterson finished with 62 yards on 10 carries and 21 yards on three receptions, but the Vikings trailed the whole game and didn't have much use after halftime for Peterson. The NFL MVP learned on Friday a 2-year-old son of his died in South Dakota of injuries from alleged abuse.

Matt Cassel threw two interceptions, both to Mike Mitchell, and the Panthers responded each time with a touchdown.

Whether the team was distracted by the tragedy or not, the Vikings were thoroughly embarrassed on both sides of the ball.