NFL: Panthers remain unbeaten; Cowboys’ Romo injured again
Panthers top Cowboys for 15th in row; Dallas QB’s status uncertain
Cam Newton is still perfect this season. Tony Romo might be out for good with the same injury that sidelined him for seven games.
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 33-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday in Arlington, Texas.
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).
“You can hear something happen, you’re just disappointed, frustrated,” said Romo, describing the injury as similar to what he felt when he broke his collarbone in Week 2 against Philadelphia.
The 35-year-old with a surgically repaired back said he would have to wait for more test results before knowing if he broke the collarbone again.
Romo was injured in Week 2 at Philadelphia and said the injury had a similar feel this time.
Owner Jerry Jones said the team needs more information to know Romo’s status for the rest of the sea- son, and the quarterback will have more tests Friday. Coach Jason Garrett said X-rays taken when Romo came out of the game were inconclusive.
“It’s in the same shoulder that he was out for ... so that is a concern from the standpoint of the games ahead,” Jones said.
Carolina 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 the score to help the Panthers become the 16th NFL team to start a season 11-0.
“Well, we got a lot of help from our defense,” Newton said. “Defense went out there and brought their Agame and made our job a lot easier.”
Newton did his part as well, getting Carolina’s only offensive touchdown on a 4- yard run for a 30-6 lead moments before Romo’s injury. He had 183 yards passing with several key third-down conversions and another 45 yards rushing.
Lions 45, Eagles 14: Matthew Stafford tied a career high with five touchdown passes, three to Calvin Johnson, and Detroit routed Philadelphia for its third straight victory.
Stafford threw for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover in the first half to help the Lions (4-7) take a 24-7 lead at Detroit. He finished 27 of 38 for 337 yards.
The Eagles (4-7) have lost three straight. They have allowed at least 45 points in two straight games in one season for the first time in team history.
Bears 17, Packers 13: Jay Cutler threw for 200 yards and a score and Chicago held off Green Bay on fourth-and-goal from the 8 with 22 seconds left for the road win.
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 touchdown catch on third down.
Cornerback Tracy Porter intercepted Rodgers’ pass with 3:19 left at the Bears 45 on the Packers’ previous drive.
The highlight of the night for Green Bay turned out to be the return of Brett Favre, whose name and No. 4 was unveiled at halftime next to the team’s other retired numbers.
nFavre threw some kind words at the man who replaced him at quarterback for the Packers. Speaking at a charity function Thursday, Favre said that Aaron Rodgers is “almost too good.”
“I mean that with all due respect,” Favre said. “I mean, all of my good records will be broken and all my bad ones I’m going to keep. When I watch him, he’s good. ... I don’t know what else to say.”
Saints: New Orleans has placed cornerback Keenan Lewis on injured reserve, ending his season.
The move ends a frustrating season for Lewis, who has played in only six of New Orleans’ 10 games this season because of a nagging hip injury.
In a corresponding move, the Saints signed cornerback Chris Owens, a former San Jose State player whose last regularseason action came last season with Kansas City.