Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (second left) runs for a first down against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter of an NFL game in Arlington, Texas. (USA TODAY Sports)
AFP/New York
Cam Newton ran for a touchdown and Carolina’s defence scored two more on interceptions as the Panthers improved to 11-0 with a 33-14 rout of the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.
Graham Gano kicked four field goals, including one from 50 yards, for Carolina who were playing on the US Thanksgiving holiday for the first time in franchise history.
The Detroit Lions hammered the Philadelphia Eagles 45-14 and in the night game the Chicago Bears upset the Green Bay Packers 17-13 in the NFL’s oldest rivalry. The Dallas loss was compounded because star quarterback Tony Romo had to leave the game in the third quarter favouring his left arm following a hard hit by Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis. Carolina’s defence stifled the Cowboys’ attack which included two interceptions by Panther linebacker Luke Kuechly in the second quarter. Carolina safety Kurt Coleman and Kuechly scored interceptions in the first half to give the Panthers a 23-3 lead heading into the third quarter.
Panther coach Ron Rivera said they practised plays like those and this time it worked out.
“One of the things we do work on is, ‘Hey, we score with the ball,’” Rivera said. “We try to create that picket fence going down one side or the other. “Kurt just made a great cutback and was able to put it in the end zone. Luke knew immediately where he was supposed to go and he picked up a row of blockers.”
Newton was superb, connecting on 16-of-27 passes for 183 yards and rushing for 45 yards and a touchdown. He led the Panthers on a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive to seal the win late in the third quarter. He capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left in the quarter, putting the Panthers ahead 30-6.
Romo completed 11-of-21 passes for 106 yards and three interceptions before he left the game.
He missed seven weeks with a broken left clavicle earlier this season and the team said he reinjured the clavicle. Dallas was 0-7 with Romo out of the lineup. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said initial X-rays were negative but Romo is expected to be examined again by doctors today. In Green Bay, quarterback Jay Cutler posted his first win at Lambeau Field and the Bears shocked the Packers to win on Thanksgiving Day for the first time since 1993. The Packers have won six of the past eight meetings with Chicago but the Bears still lead the all-time series 94-92.
The loss came on the same day Green Bay held a half time tribute to former quarterback Brett Favre who had his number four retired alongside five others, including hall of famer Bart Starr who was in attendance. Favre’s NFL career records include 6,300 completions, 10,169 pass attempts and 297 consecutive starts.
In Detroit, quarterback Matthew Stafford tied a personal best with five scoring passes and the red-hot Lions demolished the Eagles.
Thursday’s three holiday games kick off week 12 which means the NFL season has now entered the home stretch. One of the most intriguing games tomorrow will see the Denver Broncos, minus Peyton Manning, try to hand the New England Patriots their first loss.
The Broncos have ruled Manning out for the next two games as the ageing quarterback deals with a partially torn plantar fascia in his left foot. His injury will prevent the renewal of one of the great quarterback matchups of this era.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will instead square off against Bronco backup Brock Osweiler. Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch will miss his second consecutive game but Seattle is coming off one of its better rushing performances as they head into tomorrow’s home contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Atlanta faces the Minnesota Vikings as the Falcons are trying to avoid becoming the 14th team in history to miss the playoffs after a 5-0 start to the season.