LANDOVER, Md. -- The Carolina Panthers had the upper hand in the first half of the so-called “Josh Norman Bowl.’’

Quarterback Cam Newton completed an 18-yard pass to Ted Ginn Jr. and a 10-yarder to Kelvin Benjamin in the first quarter against the Washington Redskins cornerback, who was a member of the Panthers until his franchise tag was rescinded in April.

Newton later took advantage of a miscommunication between Washington safety Donte Whitner and either Norman or safety Su’a Cravens for a 30-yard touchdown pass to Ginn.

Meanwhile, Carolina rookie corners James Bradberry and Daryl Worley more than held their own. The entire Carolina secondary that was rebuilt after Norman left had the first-half edge.

Safety Kurt Coleman had an interception in the second quarter that set up a second-quarter field goal that gave the Panthers a 13-3 lead.

Redskins QB Kirk Cousins was a dismal 6-for-12 for 51 yards and a passer rating of 26.7 in the first quarter.

Newton was having a solid half until he tossed the ball at the defender after a 1-yard scramble to the Washington 26. That drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that kept the Panthers out of field goal range when they had Washington on the ropes.

Carolina coach Ron Rivera wasn’t happy. He got into the ear off the official, apparently complaining that defensive end Trent Murphy should have been penalized for a helmet-to-helmet hit.

That would have made it offsetting penalties and kept the Panthers in scoring position.

Instead, the Redskins took over and went 89 yards for a touchdown that cut the lead to 13-9.

Newton, who was limited in practice on Wednesday through Friday with a sore throwing shoulder, took a hit in the first quarter that seemed to irritate the injury.

But after being checked on the sideline, he came back strong. He finished the half 11-for-20 for 177 yards and a passer rating of 101.5.