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Newton throws 4 TDs; Panthers spoil Rodgers' return 31-24
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Cam Newton proved the Carolina Panthers can win in multiple ways.
After dominating opposing teams on the ground with three straight 200-yard rushing games at home, the Panthers turned to their 28th-ranked passing game on Sunday and took a big step toward reaching the postseason.
Newton threw for 242 yards and four touchdowns, and the Panthers spoiled Aaron Rodgers' return from a broken collarbone with a 31-24 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Damiere Byrd had two touchdown catches, and Christian McCaffrey had 136 yards from scrimmage, including a 7-yard touchdown reception and the Panthers won their fourth straight at home.
Greg Olsen had his most productive game since returning from a broken foot, catching nine passes for 116 yards and a TD as the Panthers (10-4) kept pace with the first-place New Orleans Saints in the NFC South.
''It's something we pride ourselves on being a complete offense, being able to run the ball when we can and pass when we can,'' McCaffrey said. ''Guys showed up and made plays today.''
That included Carolina's defense, which forced four turnovers, including a strip by cornerback James Bradberry on Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison with 1:28 to seal the win and prevent the Packers from possibly playing in their third straight overtime game.
''I need to do a better job of squeezing and securing it and there wouldn't be an argument,'' Allison said.
Rodgers, making his first appearance since Oct. 15, threw for 290 yards with three touchdowns but was intercepted three times as the Packers' playoff hopes took a potentially critical blow.
At 7-7, the Packers are on the cusp of not making the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
''I'm disappointed in my performance today,'' Rodgers said. ''Obviously, I didn't play well.''
Bradberry also had an interception of Rodgers, and said he plans to put the football in a trophy case.
''Going against him and getting able to get as many turnovers and we did puts a stamp on this defense,'' Bradberry said of the Panthers, who have forced seven turnovers and had nine sacks in the past two weeks.
The Panthers trailed 14-10 at halftime, but Newton threw TD passes to Olsen and Byrd in the third quarter to give them a 24-14 lead.
Byrd's first touchdown, a 9-yard grab in the back of the end zone , came with some controversy. The play was initially ruled an incompletion, but coach Ron Rivera challenged the play and officials overturned the call ruling that Byrd's buttocks landed inbounds.
''Initially I wasn't sure if they were going to count just one cheek or both cheeks,'' Byrd said with a laugh. ''I think I got lucky on that one.''
''I guess it pays to have little cheeks,'' Newton said of the 5-foot-8, 180-pound Byrd.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he didn't have a problem with the decision, calling it a good catch.
Olsen was seen screaming at the Carolina sideline before the review, urging Rivera not to challenge the play because he was certain Byrd was out of bounds.
''I was like, `Greg, you are being obnoxious right now,''' Newton said with a laugh. ''He's saying, `No, he did not catch it! Coach, don't waste a timeout!' I was like, `Greg, whose team are you on?'''
Olsen said sheepishly: ''I was 150,000 percent wrong.''
ADAMS CONCUSSION: It didn't help that Rodgers lost his most productive receiver in the third quarter with a concussion.
Davante Adams took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis on an interception return by Colin Jones. As Adams was running to make the tackle on Jones, Davis appeared to launch himself at Adams with a peel-back block, immediately sending the wide receiver to the ground and out of the game.
Davis was flagged for a 15-yard penalty.
Aaron Rodgers called it ''unnecessary hit'' and called Davis a ''repeat offender.''
Davis could face a fine or suspension from the league.
''I'm sure the league will deal with him accordingly to that,'' Rodgers said.
Davis immediately realized what he had done, cupping his head in hands as he sat on the Panthers bench. Adams had five catches for 57 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers. Davis was not available for comment after the game.
COMING IN BUNCHES: After going 12 games without an interception, Panthers starting cornerbacks Bradberry and Daryl Worley both have interceptions in back-to-back games. Worley got Rodgers in the first half on a deep route along the left sideline, while Bradberry got one on an underthrown deep ball.
INJURIES:
Packers: Linebacker Nick Perry left the game with an ankle injury in the third quarter and did not return.
Panthers: Wide receiver Russell Shepard left the game in the second half with a shoulder injury and did not return.
UP NEXT
Packers: Host the Vikings on Saturday night.
Panthers: Host the Buccaneers on Sunday.
---
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Copyright 2017 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
A. Rodgers
8 QB 290 PaYds, 3 PaTDs, 3 INTs, 43 RuYds |
27
FPTS
|
|
C. Newton
1 QB 242 PaYds, 4 PaTDs, 58 RuYds |
38
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
A. RodgersÂ
12 QB
27 FPTS
|
A. Rodgers | 26/45 | 290 | 3 | 3 | 27 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
A. JonesÂ
33 RB
4 FPTS
|
A. Jones | 3 | 47 | 0 | 23 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. RodgersÂ
12 QB
27 FPTS
|
A. Rodgers | 6 | 43 | 0 | 12 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WilliamsÂ
30 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. Williams | 10 | 30 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
R. CobbÂ
18 WR
14 FPTS
|
R. Cobb | 14 | 7 | 84 | 1 | 33 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. RodgersÂ
82 TE
13 FPTS
|
R. Rodgers | 4 | 4 | 77 | 1 | 36 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. AdamsÂ
17 WR
11 FPTS
|
D. Adams | 7 | 5 | 57 | 1 | 13 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. AllisonÂ
81 WR
1 FPTS
|
G. Allison | 8 | 5 | 33 | 0 | 10 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. NelsonÂ
87 WR
2 FPTS
|
J. Nelson | 6 | 3 | 28 | 0 | 17 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. JonesÂ
33 RB
4 FPTS
|
A. Jones | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. KendricksÂ
84 TE
0 FPTS
|
L. Kendricks | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
M. BurnettÂ
42 SS
|
M. Burnett | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. RandallÂ
23 CB
|
D. Randall | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. MartinezÂ
50 ILB
|
B. Martinez | 4-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. Clinton-DixÂ
21 FS
|
H. Clinton-Dix | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BrooksÂ
55 OLB
|
A. Brooks | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. JonesÂ
27 SS
|
J. Jones | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ThomasÂ
48 ILB
|
J. Thomas | 3-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ClarkÂ
97 NT
|
K. Clark | 2-6 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HawkinsÂ
28 CB
|
J. Hawkins | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. PipkinsÂ
41 CB
|
L. Pipkins | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. EvansÂ
25 DB
|
M. Evans | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. DanielsÂ
76 DE
|
M. Daniels | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. LowryÂ
94 DE
|
D. Lowry | 0-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. BiegelÂ
45 OLB
|
V. Biegel | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WhiteheadÂ
35 FS
|
J. Whitehead | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MatthewsÂ
52 OLB
|
C. Matthews | 0-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. CrosbyÂ
2 K
6 FPTS
|
M. Crosby | 1/1 | 28 | 3/3 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. VogelÂ
8 P
|
J. Vogel | 2 | 41.0 | 2 | 50 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Davis 11 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Davis | 2 | 7.5 | 13 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
C. NewtonÂ
1 QB
38 FPTS
|
C. Newton | 20/31 | 242 | 4 | 0 | 38 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
C. McCaffreyÂ
22 RB
19 FPTS
|
C. McCaffrey | 12 | 63 | 0 | 15 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. NewtonÂ
1 QB
38 FPTS
|
C. Newton | 14 | 58 | 0 | 13 | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. StewartÂ
28 RB
2 FPTS
|
J. Stewart | 11 | 27 | 0 | 9 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. WhittakerÂ
43 RB
0 FPTS
|
F. Whittaker | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
G. OlsenÂ
88 TE
17 FPTS
|
G. Olsen | 12 | 9 | 116 | 1 | 30 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. McCaffreyÂ
22 RB
19 FPTS
|
C. McCaffrey | 7 | 6 | 73 | 1 | 21 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. ByrdÂ
18 WR
14 FPTS
|
D. Byrd | 4 | 3 | 25 | 2 | 13 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. FunchessÂ
17 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Funchess | 4 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. StewartÂ
28 RB
2 FPTS
|
J. Stewart | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. ClayÂ
12 WR
0 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. WorleyÂ
26 CB
|
D. Worley | 6-1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ColemanÂ
20 FS
|
K. Coleman | 6-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AdamsÂ
29 SS
|
M. Adams | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BradberryÂ
24 CB
|
J. Bradberry | 4-3 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JonesÂ
42 FS
|
C. Jones | 3-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AddisonÂ
97 DE
|
M. Addison | 2-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. KuechlyÂ
59 MLB
|
L. Kuechly | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ByrdÂ
31 DB
|
J. Byrd | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. CoxÂ
64 DE
|
B. Cox | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. SeymourÂ
27 CB
|
K. Seymour | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. HortonÂ
96 DE
|
W. Horton | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DavisÂ
58 OLB
|
T. Davis | 1-3 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. LotuleleiÂ
98 DT
|
S. Lotulelei | 0-2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PeppersÂ
90 DE
|
J. Peppers | 0-2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
G. GanoÂ
9 K
7 FPTS
|
G. Gano | 1/1 | 33 | 4/4 | 7 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. PalardyÂ
5 P
|
M. Palardy | 4 | 43.5 | 2 | 55 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. ByrdÂ
18 WR
14 FPTS
|
D. Byrd | 2 | 22.5 | 25 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. Clay 12 WR
0 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 1 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 |