simmytbone
12-05-2015, 05:17 AM
Hey guys,
Week #12 once again witnessed the Panthers Keep on Pounding by def. the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving to snap a 9-game losing streak by not only getting their very 1st win on Thanksgiving Day, but also their 1st win in Dallas in almost 20 years since 1997
Meanwhile....the Saints, Buccaneers & Falcons loses....AGAIN!
and the next 2 weeks, they will do battle in Division Rival Match-Ups
Here are the stories:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20151126_CAR@DAL
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnaimpactwrestlingfan/LukeKuechly-610x354_zpst91mpadw.jpg
Panthers still perfect, Romo hurt again in 33-14 Dallas loss
By SCHUYLER DIXON
AP Sports Writer
Nov. 26, 2015
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Cam Newton sprinted to a corner of the $1.2 billion showplace of the Dallas Cowboys, pointing a camera at celebrating Carolina fans while gesturing to them with a wide smile.
A few minutes later, a somber Tony Romo talked to reporters with his left arm in a sling for the second time this season because of a collarbone injury.
The Panthers are 11-0 after a 33-14 victory in their Thanksgiving debut, and the Cowboys could be facing another long stretch without Romo in what has become a lost season for the defending NFC East champions.
Luke Kuechly and Kurt Coleman returned two of Romo's three interceptions for touchdowns, and Newton ran for the Panthers' only offensive score as they pushed their NFL-best winning streak to 15 regular-season games Thursday.
''Well, we got a lot of help from our defense,'' Newton said. ''Defense went out there and brought their A-game and made our job a lot easier.''
Romo's first collarbone injury sidelined him for all seven games of a losing streak that severely damaged the chances for another playoff trip by the Cowboys (3-8), who have now lost eight of nine.
The 35-year-old with a surgically repaired back said he would have to wait for more test results Friday before knowing if he broke the collarbone again. He was injured in Week 2 at Philadelphia and said the injury had a similar feel this time.
Coach Jason Garrett wouldn't rule out Romo returning this season, and said he would play if he was cleared even with the Cowboys unlikely to have a realistic shot to defend their division title.
Kuechly intercepted two straight passes by Romo, returning the first 32 yards for a touchdown. Coleman picked off Romo's second pass of the game and took it back 36 yards for the score to send the Panthers on their way to becoming the 16th NFL team to win the first 11 games.
''We started fast on defense,'' Kuechly said. ''Kurt had that big pick and really set the tone.''
Before getting hurt, Romo didn't look anything like the only quarterback to beat multiple teams with records of 9-0 or better.
He ended up losing for the first time in four starts this season. He had previously beaten Indianapolis at 9-0 in his fourth career start in 2006 and New Orleans at 13-0 three years later.
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.
On the second play of Dallas' possession after Newton's score, Romo was hit by a blitzing Thomas Davis and went down on his left shoulder, just as he did almost 10 weeks ago in Philadelphia.
Romo went on injured reserve with a designation to return after the first injury, and the Cowboys couldn't win without him. They were already well on their way to a loss this time a week after Romo ended the seven-game skid in his return last week at Miami.
He was 11 of 21 with 106 yards and a 27.2 passer rating.
''I'm just very disappointed in not giving our team a chance to win today,'' Romo said. ''They depend on me to go out there and perform at a certain level, and when I let them down, let our team down, our coaches, our fan base, everybody. That's what I did today, and I have to live with that.''
Carolina led 13-3 when Kuechly and the NFL's leading defense for takeaways put the Panthers firmly in control.
The league's top tackler since joining the NFL in 2012, Kuechly dropped into coverage and easily stepped in front of a pass intended for Terrance Williams before churning up the left sideline and pushing Romo away as he crossed the goal line.
On the next play, Kuechly made a nifty over-the-head catch on a ball thrown to Jason Witten. The linebacker looked a little winded on the return, eventually settling for a 17-yarder that led to the third of Graham Gano's four field goals to put the Panthers up 23-3 at halftime.
''In my eyes, he will always be Captain America because he makes every play,'' Newton said. ''He shows up. He prepares extremely well. That's what people really don't see about this whole team.''
It was the fourth time Romo has thrown multiple pick-6s in a game, and the first since a 34-18 home loss in 2012 against a Chicago defense that was among the league's best in forcing turnovers. Romo actually won his first of those, against Buffalo in 2007.
No such chance this time, because Newton kept the Carolina offense moving when Romo wasn't throwing interceptions.
Newton had three 24-yard completions on third down, and led the Panthers into the end zone after Dallas' Byron Jones was penalized for leaping on top of his linemen when Gano made a 48-yard field goal.
NOTES: Dallas defensive end Greg Hardy had a quiet game against his former team, finishing without any tackles and missing most of the second half with an injury Garrett wouldn't specify. He missed the last 15 games last year with Carolina because of his domestic violence case. Hardy signed with the Cowboys as a free agent and served a four-game suspension to start this season. ... Panther WR Jerricho Cotchery had five catches for a game-high 73 yards, and four of them converted third downs.
Meanwhile....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20151129_NO@HOU
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnaimpactwrestlingfan/dm_151129_Watt_surpasses_70_sacks_and_knocks_it_ou1272-e1448913375753-800x0-c-default_zpskd0w34ya.jpg
Texans top Saints 24-6 for 4th consecutive win
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer
Nov. 29, 2015
HOUSTON (AP) For the first time in a decade, the New Orleans Saints finished a game without scoring a touchdown.
Credit J.J. Watt and a continually improving Houston Texans defense for that.
Houston's offense got off to a fast start for a change and the defense did the rest to help the Texans cruise to a 24-6 win over the Saints on Sunday.
New Orleans (4-7) dropped its third straight on a day when the team didn't score a touchdown for the first time since 2005, snapping a streak of 155 games and Drew Brees' streak of games with a touchdown pass ended at 45.
The last time the Saints didn't score a touchdown was Dec. 24, 2005 against Detroit and Brees' last game without a touchdown pass came on Nov. 29, 2012 against Atlanta. His streak was the fifth-longest in NFL history.
''That's a long time,'' Watt said. ''That's a very high-powered offense with a very good quarterback and very good coaching staff ... so it's everybody doing their job. Everybody up front, on the back end executing their assignment, knowing what they're supposed to do and doing it very well.''
Watt had seven quarterback hits and two sacks to push his NFL lead to 13 1/2. He would have had another, but Brees threw the ball into the turf as Watt wrapped him up and was penalized for intentional grounding in the second quarter.
''There were a number of losses that frustrate me,'' New Orleans coach Sean Payton said. ''This was not the most frustrating ever (but) it's disappointing to lose a game like that, and it's definitely disappointing not to score a touchdown.''
Brian Hoyer, who finished with two touchdowns, went 7 for 7 on the opening drive. He capped it with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Griffin to give Houston a score on the opening possession for the first time this season.
The Texans (6-5) have won four in a row for the first time since winning six straight in 2012 and remain tied with Indianapolis for first place in the AFC South. The string of wins came after they were embarrassed in a 44-26 loss at Miami.
''We just had enough of playing like that,'' linebacker Brian Cushing said. ''We started simplifying things and playing hard. Just had a bad taste in or mouth from a couple of those games and just internally promised each other it wouldn't happen again.''
Brees was 25 of 44 for 228 yards. The Saints converted just 3 of 12 third down attempts.
''You get in third and long against these guys, you are asking for trouble because obviously they dial up the pass rush,'' Brees said.
It was the first game since defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was fired and replaced by Dennis Allen. But the change didn't lead to better results and the Saints gave up several big plays.
Hoyer was 21 of 27 with an interception in his return after missing last week's game with a concussion.
An 8-yard touchdown run by Alfred Blue extended Houston's lead to 21-6 in the third. Griffin grabbed a short pass in the middle of the field and dashed for a 37-yard gain on that drive.
Kareem Jackson, who returned after missing four games with an ankle injury, intercepted Brees at the goal line in the third quarter and returned it 50 yards. He might have gone all the way, but Jadeveon Clowney, who was downfield blocking, got in his way, allowing the defense to catch up and bring him down.
''I didn't know if I was going to block back or block in front,'' Clowney said. ''They were closing in on me real fast ... I was stuck.''
The Texans pushed the lead to 14-0 when Hoyer threw a shovel pass to Cecil Shorts for a touchdown on Houston's second drive.
Hoyer completed his first 11 passes before he was intercepted by Jairus Byrd. But the Saints couldn't move the ball and had to punt.
The Saints cut the lead to 14-3 on a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter. New Orleans trailed 14-6 at halftime after a career-long 57-yard field goal by Kai Forbath.
NOTES: New Orleans WR Marques Colston finished with three receptions for 38 yards to give him 702 receptions in his career. ... Houston WR DeAndre Hopkins caught a pass in his 43rd straight game and finished with five receptions for 36 yards.
and then....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20151129_TB@IND
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Hasselbeck, Vinatieri lead Colts past Buccaneers 25-12
By MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer
Nov. 29, 2015
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indy's golden oldies keep producing hits.
Matt Hasselbeck threw for 315 yards and two more touchdowns, and Adam Vinatieri made four more field goals. The throwback Sunday even included another crucial leaping penalty against Tampa Bay.
The 40-year-old Hasselbeck improved to 4-0 as a starter this season by topping the 300-yard mark for the first time in four years, and the Indianapolis Colts beat the Buccaneers 25-12 to remain on top of the AFC South.
''They're great leaders, great competitors and they love coming to work every single day,'' coach Chuck Pagano said. ''I'm sure when it becomes work, they'll hang up the cleats.''
Don't expect that to happen anytime soon.
Hasselbeck has been playing with the efficiency of a quarterback half his age - and he proved it in Indy's third consecutive win.
In the first matchup between the oldest and youngest starting quarterbacks in the NFL since December 2010, according to STATS, Hasselbeck easily outplayed Jameis Winston.
Hasselbeck finished 26 of 42 with no turnovers. He had a 100.8 rating and joined Brett Favre and Warren Moon as the only 40-year-old quarterbacks during the Super Bowl era to win four consecutive starts.
Winston was 20 of 36 for 245 yards with one touchdown, one interception and a rating of 74.4. The rookie also was sacked five times.
Hasselbeck kept the Colts poised and in control - even after they settled for field goals on their first three scores.
''He's not playing like he's 40,'' said T.Y. Hilton, who caught six passes for 95 yards and two TDs. ''He's out there having fun, making sure guys are in the right spot and letting us make plays. He's fired up and wants to make sure guys are in the right spot so he can make plays.''
The 42-year-old Vinatieri connected from 49, 27 and 26 yards before adding a 44-yarder after Indy (6-5) took the lead for good late in the third quarter. He has made 16 consecutive field goals since missing his first two attempts this season.
Tampa Bay (5-6) was shut out in the second half after carrying a 12-6 lead into the break.
''It just wasn't our day today,'' Bucs coach Lovie Smith said. ''Today, we didn't play well.''
They hurt themselves, too.
A 56-yard run from Doug Martin set up Tampa's only touchdown, a 20-yard pass from Winston to Cameron Brate that made it 12-6 with 1:54 left in the second quarter. Martin finished with 14 carries for 97 yards.
The Bucs' defense forced only two punts in the first 55 minutes, and even when it appeared it could change course, Tampa failed.
A potential touchdown pass on third down slipped through the hands of Mike Evans on third-and-6, forcing the Bucs to attempt a 54-yard field goal. Connor Barth missed it to the left and Tampa Bay was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, which gave Indy the ball at the Tampa 41.
Seven plays later, Vinatieri made his fourth kick.
And then there was that leaping call.
Twelve years after that same penalty helped Indy pull off an incredible Monday night comeback in overtime at Tampa, the Colts took advantage of the same call again. This time, they pulled Vinatieri's field goal off the board and wound up getting the clinching 3-yard TD pass from Hasselbeck to Hilton with 5:53 left.
''They said we used one of our guys as a brace,'' Smith said. ''Good call.''
It was a nice finish to a strong day for Hasselbeck, who has done more than just fill in with Andrew Luck recovering from a lacerated kidney and a partially torn abdominal muscle.
He's thrived.
''We're just playing team football and I'm just trying not to screw it up,'' Hasselbeck said. ''That's all.''
NOTES: Martin's long run put him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season. ... Indianapolis' Donte Moncrief had eight catches for 114 yards. ... Bucs linebacker Bruce Carter left with a concussion. Smith declined to provide updates on any other injured players. ... Colts linebacker Jerrell Freeman did not return after hurting his hamstring and running back Ahmad Bradshaw left with a wrist injury. ... Former Colts players Reggie Wayne and Gary Brackett watched the game together. Former Colts coach and broadcaster Ted Marchibroda also attended the game.
and finally....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20151129_MIN@ATL
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnaimpactwrestlingfan/gettyimages-499188670_zpsrmao7fij.jpg
Peterson runs for 2 TDs; Vikings beat Falcons 20-10
By PAUL NEWBERRY
AP Sports Writer
Nov. 29, 2015
ATLANTA (AP) Adrian Peterson was still miffed about his performance the previous week.
He took it out on the Atlanta Falcons.
Bouncing back from a tough loss to Green Bay, Peterson ran for 158 yards and a pair of touchdowns and the Minnesota Vikings beat the slumping Falcons 20-10 on Sunday.
Minnesota (8-3) jumped ahead on Peterson's 1-yard run in the opening quarter, and clinched it when he got loose on a 35-yard scamper down the sideline with 4:15 remaining in the game.
''We took it personal, the loss last week,'' Peterson said.
In the 30-13 setback to the Packers, he was held to 45 yards - his lowest output since Week 1. He also had a crucial fumble in the fourth quarter that thwarted any hopes of a comeback.
''It was an opportunity for us to get into the end zone, and I ruined it,'' Peterson recalled. ''Coming in here, just being conscious of holding the ball tight, and taking advantage of any opportunities they present me with.''
Against the Falcons (6-5), who came in with the league's top-ranked defense against the run, Peterson ripped off his sixth 100-yard game of the season. He also moved to 18th on the NFL career rushing list with 11,354 yards, passing O.J. Simpson (11,236), Corey Dillon (11,241) and John Riggins (11,352).
''I just come in and try to focus on doing my job and helping my team win,'' Peterson said. ''I'll be able to look at those things after the fact.''
For Matt Ryan, it was another disappointing day. The Falcons quarterback threw two more interceptions - he's got five in the past two games - and heard perhaps the loudest boos of his career from the home crowd after a pick in the end zone.
Atlanta has lost five of its past six games, including four straight, and is in danger of becoming one of the few teams in NFL history to start 5-0 and miss the playoffs.
''It starts with me,'' Ryan said. ''I've got to know when to throw the ball away, cut my losses, and take the field goal.''
Teddy Bridgewater completed 20 of 28 for 174 yards, though the Minnesota quarterback did throw an interception in the end zone to take potential points off the board. It didn't hurt. The Vikings' defense kept Atlanta out of the end zone until Ryan's 1-yard touchdown pass to Nick Williams with 1:28 remaining.
Minnesota really clamped down on Atlanta star Julio Jones, held to 56 yards on five catches.
The Vikings reclaimed a one-game lead over Green Bay in the NFC North, taking advantage of the Packers' loss to Chicago on Thanksgiving night.
Ryan squandered one scoring chance in the second quarter when a deep throw down the middle was picked off by Captain Munnerlyn. The second interception was really costly, coming after Tevin Coleman's 1-yard scoring run, which would've given the Falcons a 10-7 lead in the third quarter, was wiped out by a clipping penalty on tight end Tony Moeaki.
With the Falcons facing third-and-goal from the 14, Ryan scrambled to his left and tried to force a pass to Jacob Tamme in the end zone. Terence Newman grabbed it instead, giving Minnesota a huge stop.
''You want to make plays. You want to be aggressive,'' Ryan said. ''But there's a time and place for that. That was not the place.''
There was plenty of blame to go around.
Coleman, starting for injured running back Devonta Freeman, broke off the longest run of his career in the first quarter. But the 46-yard scamper was wasted when the rookie failed to keep a firm grip on the ball, allowing linebacker Anthony Barr to come up from behind and punch it away. Antone Exum fell on the loose ball at the Minnesota 21, giving Coleman his third lost fumble of the season.
On Atlanta's last gasp in the fourth quarter, Coleman dropped a deep pass down the right sideline. Then, on fourth-and-1 at midfield, Ryan was hammered by Barr before he could even get off a quick pass, the linebacker blowing right by lineman Andy Levitre.
Notes: Coleman had the first 100-yard game of his career, finishing with 110 yards on 18 carries. ... Next up for Peterson on the career rushing list: Steven Jackson at No. 17 with 11,388 yards. ... Shayne Graham made a 31-yard field goal in his Atlanta debut. He was filling in for regular kicker Matt Bryant, out with a quadriceps injury. ... Jones had a streak of three straight 100-yard receiving games.
credit: cbssports.com
Panthers hang on to 1st place with 11-0 while the Falcons stays in 2nd place with 6-5, plus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers holds on to 3rd place with 5-6 and as for the Saints, they still remain dead last with 4-7
and now, for the next 2 weeks, we will see Division Rival Match-Ups
This Sunday Afternoon, the NFL on FOX, most of you will see an NFC South Double Header as the Atlanta Falcons will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa Bay, FL followed by AMERICA'S GAME OF THE WEEK as the Carolina Panthers takes on the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome in NOLA and then in Week #14, the NFL on FOX will see the Saints and the Buccaneers goin' head to head in Tampa Bay, FL and the Falcons will take on the Panthers in Carolina
also, the last 4 years, Cam Newton and Drew Brees are 2-2 against each other in Head to Head Matches in the Superdome
On New Year's Day 2012, the Saints BLEW OUT the Panthers 45-17 to have a PERFECT 8-0 in the Dome and the Panthers finished the season 6-10
On December 30, 2012, the Panthers went into New Orleans and def. the Saints w/o Head Coach Sean Payton 44–38 to finish the season 7-9
On December 8, 2013, NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL on NBC saw the Saints BLEW OUT the Panthers 31-13, but the Panthers would def. New York Jets, the Saints in Carolina and the Falcons in Atlanta to go 12-4 and they would not only clinched the NFC South for the 1st time in 5 years, while the Saints ended up 11-5 to clinch an NFC Wild Card
and last year, on December 7, 2014, after losing 6 straight games, the Panthers would go back to the Superdome and they would BLOW OUT the Saints in New Orleans 41–10 and they would end up def. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns in Carolina and they would def. the Falcons in Atlanta to end up clinching the NFC South for the 2nd year in a row with a record of 7-8-1
So far this year, the Panthers are now 2-0 in the division while the Saints go to 1-2 in the division, the Buccaneers are now 2-1 in the division with Road Wins over the Saints in New Orleans and the Falcons in Atlanta and the Falcons are now 0-2 in the division
NOTE: If the Carolina Panthers def. the Saints, then they will clinch the Division, however, if the Buccaneers def. the Falcons, then regardless of the outcome of the Panthers/Saints Game, the Panthers will automatically clinch the NFC South for the 3rd year in a row
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnaimpactwrestlingfan/Sequence_1020213_640x360_zpsrkqvhzga.jpg
Panthers vs. Saints from New Year's Day 2012 on FOX
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2012010111/2011/REG17/panthers@saints
Panthers vs. Saints from December 30, 2012 on FOX
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2012123011/2012/REG17/panthers@saints
Panthers vs. Saints from December 8, 2013 on NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2013120804/2013/REG14/panthers@saints
Panthers vs. Saints from December 7, 2014 on FOX - A HUGE BLOW OUT IN THE DOME
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2013120804/2013/REG14/panthers@saints
Panthers vs. Cowboys from Thanksgiving Day 2015 on CBS
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015112601/2015/REG12/panthers@cowboys
Saints vs. Texans from 2015 on FOX
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015112903/2015/REG12/saints@texans
Buccaneers vs. Colts from 2015 on FOX
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015112904/2015/REG12/buccaneers@colts
Vikings vs. Falcons from 2015 on FOX
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015112901/2015/REG12/vikings@falcons
Week #12 once again witnessed the Panthers Keep on Pounding by def. the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving to snap a 9-game losing streak by not only getting their very 1st win on Thanksgiving Day, but also their 1st win in Dallas in almost 20 years since 1997
Meanwhile....the Saints, Buccaneers & Falcons loses....AGAIN!
and the next 2 weeks, they will do battle in Division Rival Match-Ups
Here are the stories:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20151126_CAR@DAL
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnaimpactwrestlingfan/LukeKuechly-610x354_zpst91mpadw.jpg
Panthers still perfect, Romo hurt again in 33-14 Dallas loss
By SCHUYLER DIXON
AP Sports Writer
Nov. 26, 2015
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Cam Newton sprinted to a corner of the $1.2 billion showplace of the Dallas Cowboys, pointing a camera at celebrating Carolina fans while gesturing to them with a wide smile.
A few minutes later, a somber Tony Romo talked to reporters with his left arm in a sling for the second time this season because of a collarbone injury.
The Panthers are 11-0 after a 33-14 victory in their Thanksgiving debut, and the Cowboys could be facing another long stretch without Romo in what has become a lost season for the defending NFC East champions.
Luke Kuechly and Kurt Coleman returned two of Romo's three interceptions for touchdowns, and Newton ran for the Panthers' only offensive score as they pushed their NFL-best winning streak to 15 regular-season games Thursday.
''Well, we got a lot of help from our defense,'' Newton said. ''Defense went out there and brought their A-game and made our job a lot easier.''
Romo's first collarbone injury sidelined him for all seven games of a losing streak that severely damaged the chances for another playoff trip by the Cowboys (3-8), who have now lost eight of nine.
The 35-year-old with a surgically repaired back said he would have to wait for more test results Friday before knowing if he broke the collarbone again. He was injured in Week 2 at Philadelphia and said the injury had a similar feel this time.
Coach Jason Garrett wouldn't rule out Romo returning this season, and said he would play if he was cleared even with the Cowboys unlikely to have a realistic shot to defend their division title.
Kuechly intercepted two straight passes by Romo, returning the first 32 yards for a touchdown. Coleman picked off Romo's second pass of the game and took it back 36 yards for the score to send the Panthers on their way to becoming the 16th NFL team to win the first 11 games.
''We started fast on defense,'' Kuechly said. ''Kurt had that big pick and really set the tone.''
Before getting hurt, Romo didn't look anything like the only quarterback to beat multiple teams with records of 9-0 or better.
He ended up losing for the first time in four starts this season. He had previously beaten Indianapolis at 9-0 in his fourth career start in 2006 and New Orleans at 13-0 three years later.
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.
On the second play of Dallas' possession after Newton's score, Romo was hit by a blitzing Thomas Davis and went down on his left shoulder, just as he did almost 10 weeks ago in Philadelphia.
Romo went on injured reserve with a designation to return after the first injury, and the Cowboys couldn't win without him. They were already well on their way to a loss this time a week after Romo ended the seven-game skid in his return last week at Miami.
He was 11 of 21 with 106 yards and a 27.2 passer rating.
''I'm just very disappointed in not giving our team a chance to win today,'' Romo said. ''They depend on me to go out there and perform at a certain level, and when I let them down, let our team down, our coaches, our fan base, everybody. That's what I did today, and I have to live with that.''
Carolina led 13-3 when Kuechly and the NFL's leading defense for takeaways put the Panthers firmly in control.
The league's top tackler since joining the NFL in 2012, Kuechly dropped into coverage and easily stepped in front of a pass intended for Terrance Williams before churning up the left sideline and pushing Romo away as he crossed the goal line.
On the next play, Kuechly made a nifty over-the-head catch on a ball thrown to Jason Witten. The linebacker looked a little winded on the return, eventually settling for a 17-yarder that led to the third of Graham Gano's four field goals to put the Panthers up 23-3 at halftime.
''In my eyes, he will always be Captain America because he makes every play,'' Newton said. ''He shows up. He prepares extremely well. That's what people really don't see about this whole team.''
It was the fourth time Romo has thrown multiple pick-6s in a game, and the first since a 34-18 home loss in 2012 against a Chicago defense that was among the league's best in forcing turnovers. Romo actually won his first of those, against Buffalo in 2007.
No such chance this time, because Newton kept the Carolina offense moving when Romo wasn't throwing interceptions.
Newton had three 24-yard completions on third down, and led the Panthers into the end zone after Dallas' Byron Jones was penalized for leaping on top of his linemen when Gano made a 48-yard field goal.
NOTES: Dallas defensive end Greg Hardy had a quiet game against his former team, finishing without any tackles and missing most of the second half with an injury Garrett wouldn't specify. He missed the last 15 games last year with Carolina because of his domestic violence case. Hardy signed with the Cowboys as a free agent and served a four-game suspension to start this season. ... Panther WR Jerricho Cotchery had five catches for a game-high 73 yards, and four of them converted third downs.
Meanwhile....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20151129_NO@HOU
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb296/tnawrestlingfan/tnaimpactwrestlingfan/dm_151129_Watt_surpasses_70_sacks_and_knocks_it_ou1272-e1448913375753-800x0-c-default_zpskd0w34ya.jpg
Texans top Saints 24-6 for 4th consecutive win
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer
Nov. 29, 2015
HOUSTON (AP) For the first time in a decade, the New Orleans Saints finished a game without scoring a touchdown.
Credit J.J. Watt and a continually improving Houston Texans defense for that.
Houston's offense got off to a fast start for a change and the defense did the rest to help the Texans cruise to a 24-6 win over the Saints on Sunday.
New Orleans (4-7) dropped its third straight on a day when the team didn't score a touchdown for the first time since 2005, snapping a streak of 155 games and Drew Brees' streak of games with a touchdown pass ended at 45.
The last time the Saints didn't score a touchdown was Dec. 24, 2005 against Detroit and Brees' last game without a touchdown pass came on Nov. 29, 2012 against Atlanta. His streak was the fifth-longest in NFL history.
''That's a long time,'' Watt said. ''That's a very high-powered offense with a very good quarterback and very good coaching staff ... so it's everybody doing their job. Everybody up front, on the back end executing their assignment, knowing what they're supposed to do and doing it very well.''
Watt had seven quarterback hits and two sacks to push his NFL lead to 13 1/2. He would have had another, but Brees threw the ball into the turf as Watt wrapped him up and was penalized for intentional grounding in the second quarter.
''There were a number of losses that frustrate me,'' New Orleans coach Sean Payton said. ''This was not the most frustrating ever (but) it's disappointing to lose a game like that, and it's definitely disappointing not to score a touchdown.''
Brian Hoyer, who finished with two touchdowns, went 7 for 7 on the opening drive. He capped it with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Griffin to give Houston a score on the opening possession for the first time this season.
The Texans (6-5) have won four in a row for the first time since winning six straight in 2012 and remain tied with Indianapolis for first place in the AFC South. The string of wins came after they were embarrassed in a 44-26 loss at Miami.
''We just had enough of playing like that,'' linebacker Brian Cushing said. ''We started simplifying things and playing hard. Just had a bad taste in or mouth from a couple of those games and just internally promised each other it wouldn't happen again.''
Brees was 25 of 44 for 228 yards. The Saints converted just 3 of 12 third down attempts.
''You get in third and long against these guys, you are asking for trouble because obviously they dial up the pass rush,'' Brees said.
It was the first game since defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was fired and replaced by Dennis Allen. But the change didn't lead to better results and the Saints gave up several big plays.
Hoyer was 21 of 27 with an interception in his return after missing last week's game with a concussion.
An 8-yard touchdown run by Alfred Blue extended Houston's lead to 21-6 in the third. Griffin grabbed a short pass in the middle of the field and dashed for a 37-yard gain on that drive.
Kareem Jackson, who returned after missing four games with an ankle injury, intercepted Brees at the goal line in the third quarter and returned it 50 yards. He might have gone all the way, but Jadeveon Clowney, who was downfield blocking, got in his way, allowing the defense to catch up and bring him down.
''I didn't know if I was going to block back or block in front,'' Clowney said. ''They were closing in on me real fast ... I was stuck.''
The Texans pushed the lead to 14-0 when Hoyer threw a shovel pass to Cecil Shorts for a touchdown on Houston's second drive.
Hoyer completed his first 11 passes before he was intercepted by Jairus Byrd. But the Saints couldn't move the ball and had to punt.
The Saints cut the lead to 14-3 on a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter. New Orleans trailed 14-6 at halftime after a career-long 57-yard field goal by Kai Forbath.
NOTES: New Orleans WR Marques Colston finished with three receptions for 38 yards to give him 702 receptions in his career. ... Houston WR DeAndre Hopkins caught a pass in his 43rd straight game and finished with five receptions for 36 yards.
and then....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20151129_TB@IND
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Hasselbeck, Vinatieri lead Colts past Buccaneers 25-12
By MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer
Nov. 29, 2015
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indy's golden oldies keep producing hits.
Matt Hasselbeck threw for 315 yards and two more touchdowns, and Adam Vinatieri made four more field goals. The throwback Sunday even included another crucial leaping penalty against Tampa Bay.
The 40-year-old Hasselbeck improved to 4-0 as a starter this season by topping the 300-yard mark for the first time in four years, and the Indianapolis Colts beat the Buccaneers 25-12 to remain on top of the AFC South.
''They're great leaders, great competitors and they love coming to work every single day,'' coach Chuck Pagano said. ''I'm sure when it becomes work, they'll hang up the cleats.''
Don't expect that to happen anytime soon.
Hasselbeck has been playing with the efficiency of a quarterback half his age - and he proved it in Indy's third consecutive win.
In the first matchup between the oldest and youngest starting quarterbacks in the NFL since December 2010, according to STATS, Hasselbeck easily outplayed Jameis Winston.
Hasselbeck finished 26 of 42 with no turnovers. He had a 100.8 rating and joined Brett Favre and Warren Moon as the only 40-year-old quarterbacks during the Super Bowl era to win four consecutive starts.
Winston was 20 of 36 for 245 yards with one touchdown, one interception and a rating of 74.4. The rookie also was sacked five times.
Hasselbeck kept the Colts poised and in control - even after they settled for field goals on their first three scores.
''He's not playing like he's 40,'' said T.Y. Hilton, who caught six passes for 95 yards and two TDs. ''He's out there having fun, making sure guys are in the right spot and letting us make plays. He's fired up and wants to make sure guys are in the right spot so he can make plays.''
The 42-year-old Vinatieri connected from 49, 27 and 26 yards before adding a 44-yarder after Indy (6-5) took the lead for good late in the third quarter. He has made 16 consecutive field goals since missing his first two attempts this season.
Tampa Bay (5-6) was shut out in the second half after carrying a 12-6 lead into the break.
''It just wasn't our day today,'' Bucs coach Lovie Smith said. ''Today, we didn't play well.''
They hurt themselves, too.
A 56-yard run from Doug Martin set up Tampa's only touchdown, a 20-yard pass from Winston to Cameron Brate that made it 12-6 with 1:54 left in the second quarter. Martin finished with 14 carries for 97 yards.
The Bucs' defense forced only two punts in the first 55 minutes, and even when it appeared it could change course, Tampa failed.
A potential touchdown pass on third down slipped through the hands of Mike Evans on third-and-6, forcing the Bucs to attempt a 54-yard field goal. Connor Barth missed it to the left and Tampa Bay was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, which gave Indy the ball at the Tampa 41.
Seven plays later, Vinatieri made his fourth kick.
And then there was that leaping call.
Twelve years after that same penalty helped Indy pull off an incredible Monday night comeback in overtime at Tampa, the Colts took advantage of the same call again. This time, they pulled Vinatieri's field goal off the board and wound up getting the clinching 3-yard TD pass from Hasselbeck to Hilton with 5:53 left.
''They said we used one of our guys as a brace,'' Smith said. ''Good call.''
It was a nice finish to a strong day for Hasselbeck, who has done more than just fill in with Andrew Luck recovering from a lacerated kidney and a partially torn abdominal muscle.
He's thrived.
''We're just playing team football and I'm just trying not to screw it up,'' Hasselbeck said. ''That's all.''
NOTES: Martin's long run put him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season. ... Indianapolis' Donte Moncrief had eight catches for 114 yards. ... Bucs linebacker Bruce Carter left with a concussion. Smith declined to provide updates on any other injured players. ... Colts linebacker Jerrell Freeman did not return after hurting his hamstring and running back Ahmad Bradshaw left with a wrist injury. ... Former Colts players Reggie Wayne and Gary Brackett watched the game together. Former Colts coach and broadcaster Ted Marchibroda also attended the game.
and finally....
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20151129_MIN@ATL
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Peterson runs for 2 TDs; Vikings beat Falcons 20-10
By PAUL NEWBERRY
AP Sports Writer
Nov. 29, 2015
ATLANTA (AP) Adrian Peterson was still miffed about his performance the previous week.
He took it out on the Atlanta Falcons.
Bouncing back from a tough loss to Green Bay, Peterson ran for 158 yards and a pair of touchdowns and the Minnesota Vikings beat the slumping Falcons 20-10 on Sunday.
Minnesota (8-3) jumped ahead on Peterson's 1-yard run in the opening quarter, and clinched it when he got loose on a 35-yard scamper down the sideline with 4:15 remaining in the game.
''We took it personal, the loss last week,'' Peterson said.
In the 30-13 setback to the Packers, he was held to 45 yards - his lowest output since Week 1. He also had a crucial fumble in the fourth quarter that thwarted any hopes of a comeback.
''It was an opportunity for us to get into the end zone, and I ruined it,'' Peterson recalled. ''Coming in here, just being conscious of holding the ball tight, and taking advantage of any opportunities they present me with.''
Against the Falcons (6-5), who came in with the league's top-ranked defense against the run, Peterson ripped off his sixth 100-yard game of the season. He also moved to 18th on the NFL career rushing list with 11,354 yards, passing O.J. Simpson (11,236), Corey Dillon (11,241) and John Riggins (11,352).
''I just come in and try to focus on doing my job and helping my team win,'' Peterson said. ''I'll be able to look at those things after the fact.''
For Matt Ryan, it was another disappointing day. The Falcons quarterback threw two more interceptions - he's got five in the past two games - and heard perhaps the loudest boos of his career from the home crowd after a pick in the end zone.
Atlanta has lost five of its past six games, including four straight, and is in danger of becoming one of the few teams in NFL history to start 5-0 and miss the playoffs.
''It starts with me,'' Ryan said. ''I've got to know when to throw the ball away, cut my losses, and take the field goal.''
Teddy Bridgewater completed 20 of 28 for 174 yards, though the Minnesota quarterback did throw an interception in the end zone to take potential points off the board. It didn't hurt. The Vikings' defense kept Atlanta out of the end zone until Ryan's 1-yard touchdown pass to Nick Williams with 1:28 remaining.
Minnesota really clamped down on Atlanta star Julio Jones, held to 56 yards on five catches.
The Vikings reclaimed a one-game lead over Green Bay in the NFC North, taking advantage of the Packers' loss to Chicago on Thanksgiving night.
Ryan squandered one scoring chance in the second quarter when a deep throw down the middle was picked off by Captain Munnerlyn. The second interception was really costly, coming after Tevin Coleman's 1-yard scoring run, which would've given the Falcons a 10-7 lead in the third quarter, was wiped out by a clipping penalty on tight end Tony Moeaki.
With the Falcons facing third-and-goal from the 14, Ryan scrambled to his left and tried to force a pass to Jacob Tamme in the end zone. Terence Newman grabbed it instead, giving Minnesota a huge stop.
''You want to make plays. You want to be aggressive,'' Ryan said. ''But there's a time and place for that. That was not the place.''
There was plenty of blame to go around.
Coleman, starting for injured running back Devonta Freeman, broke off the longest run of his career in the first quarter. But the 46-yard scamper was wasted when the rookie failed to keep a firm grip on the ball, allowing linebacker Anthony Barr to come up from behind and punch it away. Antone Exum fell on the loose ball at the Minnesota 21, giving Coleman his third lost fumble of the season.
On Atlanta's last gasp in the fourth quarter, Coleman dropped a deep pass down the right sideline. Then, on fourth-and-1 at midfield, Ryan was hammered by Barr before he could even get off a quick pass, the linebacker blowing right by lineman Andy Levitre.
Notes: Coleman had the first 100-yard game of his career, finishing with 110 yards on 18 carries. ... Next up for Peterson on the career rushing list: Steven Jackson at No. 17 with 11,388 yards. ... Shayne Graham made a 31-yard field goal in his Atlanta debut. He was filling in for regular kicker Matt Bryant, out with a quadriceps injury. ... Jones had a streak of three straight 100-yard receiving games.
credit: cbssports.com
Panthers hang on to 1st place with 11-0 while the Falcons stays in 2nd place with 6-5, plus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers holds on to 3rd place with 5-6 and as for the Saints, they still remain dead last with 4-7
and now, for the next 2 weeks, we will see Division Rival Match-Ups
This Sunday Afternoon, the NFL on FOX, most of you will see an NFC South Double Header as the Atlanta Falcons will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa Bay, FL followed by AMERICA'S GAME OF THE WEEK as the Carolina Panthers takes on the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome in NOLA and then in Week #14, the NFL on FOX will see the Saints and the Buccaneers goin' head to head in Tampa Bay, FL and the Falcons will take on the Panthers in Carolina
also, the last 4 years, Cam Newton and Drew Brees are 2-2 against each other in Head to Head Matches in the Superdome
On New Year's Day 2012, the Saints BLEW OUT the Panthers 45-17 to have a PERFECT 8-0 in the Dome and the Panthers finished the season 6-10
On December 30, 2012, the Panthers went into New Orleans and def. the Saints w/o Head Coach Sean Payton 44–38 to finish the season 7-9
On December 8, 2013, NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL on NBC saw the Saints BLEW OUT the Panthers 31-13, but the Panthers would def. New York Jets, the Saints in Carolina and the Falcons in Atlanta to go 12-4 and they would not only clinched the NFC South for the 1st time in 5 years, while the Saints ended up 11-5 to clinch an NFC Wild Card
and last year, on December 7, 2014, after losing 6 straight games, the Panthers would go back to the Superdome and they would BLOW OUT the Saints in New Orleans 41–10 and they would end up def. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns in Carolina and they would def. the Falcons in Atlanta to end up clinching the NFC South for the 2nd year in a row with a record of 7-8-1
So far this year, the Panthers are now 2-0 in the division while the Saints go to 1-2 in the division, the Buccaneers are now 2-1 in the division with Road Wins over the Saints in New Orleans and the Falcons in Atlanta and the Falcons are now 0-2 in the division
NOTE: If the Carolina Panthers def. the Saints, then they will clinch the Division, however, if the Buccaneers def. the Falcons, then regardless of the outcome of the Panthers/Saints Game, the Panthers will automatically clinch the NFC South for the 3rd year in a row
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Panthers vs. Saints from New Year's Day 2012 on FOX
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2012010111/2011/REG17/panthers@saints
Panthers vs. Saints from December 30, 2012 on FOX
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2012123011/2012/REG17/panthers@saints
Panthers vs. Saints from December 8, 2013 on NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2013120804/2013/REG14/panthers@saints
Panthers vs. Saints from December 7, 2014 on FOX - A HUGE BLOW OUT IN THE DOME
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2013120804/2013/REG14/panthers@saints
Panthers vs. Cowboys from Thanksgiving Day 2015 on CBS
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015112601/2015/REG12/panthers@cowboys
Saints vs. Texans from 2015 on FOX
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015112903/2015/REG12/saints@texans
Buccaneers vs. Colts from 2015 on FOX
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015112904/2015/REG12/buccaneers@colts
Vikings vs. Falcons from 2015 on FOX
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015112901/2015/REG12/vikings@falcons