Panthers remain undefeated with win over Cowboys; Lions humble Eagles.
Stafford throws 5 TD passes in team’s 3rd consecutive victory
Matthew Stafford dropped back and perfectly lofted the ball where only Calvin Johnson could catch it.
Johnson leaped to come down with the 25-yard pass in the end zone for the first of a career-highmatching three touchdown receptions, Stafford tied a personal best with five scoring passes and the surging Lions kept the Eagles reeling Thursday with a 45-14 rout.
“When we’re on point like that, it’s hard to stop,” Johnson said.
The host Lions (4-7) have won three straight since firing their president and general manager and three in a row in their annual Thanksgiving game.
The Lions ran for 108 yards, tied a season high with six sacks and Matt Prater made a 48-yard field goal. Ezekiel Ansah had 31⁄2 sacks to lead the defense.
“That’s as complete a victory as we’ve had since we’ve been here,” said Jim Caldwell, who won 11 games last season in his first year as Lions coach.
The Eagles (4-7) have lost three in a row and allowed at least 45 points in two straight games in one season for the first time, according to STATS. They have lost by at least 28 points in consecutive games for the first time since 1971.
“We all take accountability,” coach Chip Kelly said. “I’m a coach, not a player, so it starts with me. I’m not pointing fingers at anybody, and I don’t think anybody points fingers at anybody.”
Stafford threw for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover by halftime for the second time in his career, according to STATS, to help the Lions lead 24-7. He finished 27 of 38 for 337 yards and threw five TDs for the fourth time.
The quarterback seems to be clicking with offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who replaced the fired Joe Lombardi a month ago.
“I love that he’s so aggressive,” Stafford said. “That rubs off on the players because it is fun when he’s giving you chances to make big plays.”
Johnson had eight catches for 93 yards and his three TDs equaled a career high set in 2010.
“We’re attacking the defense and not playing defense on offense,” Johnson said.
Panthers 33, Cowboys 14: Cam Newton is still perfect this season and Tony Romo is now done for the season.
Romo injured the same left collarbone that sidelined him for all seven games of a losing streak that damaged the playoff hopes for the defending NFC East champion Cowboys (3-8).
Newton got a big boost from a defense that returned two of Romo’s three interceptions for touchdowns, and the Panthers ran their NFL-best winning streak to 15 regular-season games with a victory over the Cowboys.
Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly intercepted two straight passes by Romo, returning the first 32 yards for a touchdown.
Safety Kurt Coleman picked off Romo’s second pass of the game and took it back 36 yards for a score as the Panthers became the 16th NFL team to start a season 11-0.
Bears 17, Packers 13: Jay Cutler threw for 200 yards and a score and Chicago held off host Green Bay on fourth-and-goal from the 8 with 22 seconds left.
Aaron Rodgers’ throw to the end zone deflected off receiver Davante Adams’ hands on the rain. James Jones couldn’t hang on to a potential TD on 3rd down.