Panthers stay unbeaten

LOS ANGELES — Cam Newton ran for a touchdown and Carolina’s defense scored two more on interceptions as the Panthers improved to 11-0 with a 33-14 rout of the Dallas Cowboys Thursday. Graham Gano kicked four field goals, including one from 50 yards, for Carolina which was 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 favoring his left arm following a hard hit by Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis. Carolina’s defense 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 practiced plays like those and this time it worked out. 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 Friday. 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. — AFP