Newton, Panthers deal Bucs, Schiano another loss

Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers crushed the host Buccaneers, 31-13, Thursday night, delivering another blow to beleaguered Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano.

“Fire Schiano” billboards started popping up around Tampa, Fla., this week, and Newton showed no mercy, riddling the Buccaneers (0-7) with an outstanding performance.

Through the air, Newton was nearly flawless, going 23-for-32 for 221 yards without being intercepted. He threw two touchdown passes and ran for an additional score, going untouched on a 6-yard dash to his left late in the third quarter.

On the ground, Carolina was efficient, rushing for 129 yards on 27 carries. At halftime, four Panthers ball carriers each averaged more than 6 yards per touch against the leaky Tampa Bay defense.

The Panthers (4-3) led 14-6 at halftime, then piled it on the second half. Favre says no: Brett Favre is two weeks removed from his 44th birthday and said this month he was not considering ending his three-year-old retirement.

That wasn’t enough to keep his name out of discussions by Rams officials this week as the team plotted to replace injured starter Sam Bradford.

“It’s flattering,” Favre told WSPZ-AM570 in Washington on Thursday. “But there’s no way … I’m going to do that.” Finley out of hospital: Packers tight end Jermichael Finley was released from the hospital and returned to his Green Bay home, ESPN reported.

Finley had been hospitalized since Sunday after suffering a spinal bruise in his neck. London slate announced: The Jaguars are scheduled to host the Cowboys in one of three games to be played at Wembley Stadium in London next season. Two games were scheduled for this season.

The Falcons will host the Lions and the Raiders will host the Dolphins in the other two 2014 games. Manning back at practice: After sitting out practice Wednesday to deal with a minor ankle injury, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning returned.

Manning was one of eight players who sat out Wednesday.