Cam Newton Video: Watch Panthers Stud Tie NFL Rookie QB Rushing TD Record

Cam Newton has tied or set NFL rookie records with remarkable ease from Day 1, with his latest feat of historical significant coming during the Carolina Panthers' 33-20 win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

Newton, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, tied the league record for most rushing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger with his seventh end zone scamper of the young season.

The first-year phenom notched his latest touchdown on a 16-yard designed run to the left following a fake to running back Jonathan Stewart and a perfect block by tight end Greg Olsen to spring him to the house. The score extended the Panthers' lead to 16-6 in the third quarter.

Newton finished the day with arguably his finest performance of the season, as he completed 18-of-23 passes for 256 yards, a touchdown and no picks while scratching up another 59 yards and the aforementioned score on 10 rushing attempts.

With the win, Carolina moves to 2-5 on the season, a record that belies how well Newton and his teammates have played in 2011. Four of the Panthers' five losses have come by a touchdown or less, including close calls against the Packers, Bears and Saints.

The former Heisman Trophy winner will have yet another chance to strut his stuff opposite fellow rookie Christian Ponder when the Panthers welcome the Vikings to Bank of America Stadium in Week 8. Another strong performance would do wonders to put some distance between Newton and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green in the race to be named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Even if Newton loses out, it's clear that the kid has a bright future in pro football, though the present has been pretty spectacular in its own right.

Either way, football fans in Charlotte have to be happy with what they've seen from Newton and the Panthers so far this season, as they've already matched their win total from all of last season.