And Still Undefeated! Panthers 11-0

26 Nov, 2015

The Carolina Panthers improved their perfect start to the season to 11-0 with a 33-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, who lost quarterback Tony Romo to another shoulder injury late in the third quarter on Thursday.

Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly intercepted two passes in the second quarter, part of a stifling effort by the Carolina defense at AT&T Stadium.

Dallas quarterback Romo completed 11 of 21 passes for 106 yards and three interceptions. And then, after Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis sacked him, Romo left the game favoring his left arm on the final play of the third.

Dallas (3-8) were 0-7 with Romo out of the lineup.

However, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said initial X-rays were negative and Romo will be further evaluated on Friday.

Garrett said Romo will be back in the lineup if he can play.

“If Tony’s ready to play, he’s going to play,” Garrett said. “All hands on deck. Everybody who’s available is playing.”

Carolina safety Kurt Coleman and Kuechly scored on pick-sixes in the first half to propel the Panthers to a 23-3 lead at halftime.

Carolina coach Ron Rivera said it was no accident that his team scored on those plays.

“One of the things we do work on is, ‘Hey, we score with the ball,'” Rivera said. “We try to create that picket fence going down one side or the other.

“Kurt just made a great cutback and was able to put it in the end zone. Luke knew immediately where he was supposed to go and he picked up a row of blockers.”

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton turned in a stellar performance, connecting on 16 of 27 passes for 183 yards and rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown.

Newton led the Panthers on a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive to ice the game late in the third quarter.

Now Carolina can enjoy their perch atop the NFC a little bit longer than usual. The Panthers will watch the rest of the weekend still knowing they are the only unbeaten team in the conference.

Reuters

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