NFL: Panthers gamble and lose on late two-point convert try

Cam Newton took a shotgun snap and set up in a clean pocket, surveying the field from sideline to sideline. The star quarterback had time and an open receiver in the end zone, giving the Carolina Panthers a chance to convert a go-ahead, two-point conversion against the Detroit Lions.

Newton, though, wasted the opportunity by sliding to his left and sailing an off-balance throw behind and over Jarius Wright.

Instead of earning a comeback win to bolster playoff hopes, Newton’s errant pass with 1:07 left allowed Detroit to hold on for a 20-19 win over Carolina on Sunday.

“I let this team down and I’ve just got to be better,” Newton said.

Carolina coach Ron Rivera went for the win after Newton threw his third touchdown pass to rookie receiver D.J. Moore, who leaped in the corner of the end zone to make the catch.

“I think you go for two (points) on the road,” Rivera said.

Rivera would not budge on the reasoning behind the aggressive call when pressed whether he made it because usually reliable kicker Graham Gano missed an extra point and a field goal earlier.

“I was going for the win,” he said. “That’s the bottom line.”

Newton’s line looked good, going 25-of-37 for 357 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. But with a chance to help the Panthers (6-4) avoid losing two straight for the first time this season and at least improve their wild card positioning, Newton failed to deliver a relatively simple pass in a pressure-packed situation.

“This game is such a humbling game at times,” he said. “Today, I was humbled.”

Detroit coach Matt Patricia insisted he wasn’t surprised by Rivera’s decision. “They had good momentum going into that situation,” Patricia said.

The Lions (4-6) recovered an onside kick to seal the victory and end a season-high threegame losing streak. They were in a position to win after Matthew Stafford threw a go-ahead, 19-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Golladay with 5:19 left. Stafford rolled to his right and threw toward the end zone, connecting with Golladay, who leaped just inside the 5 and landed in the end zone with a score that stood after review.