Green Bay Packers vs Carolina Panthers Box Score on Nov 08, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Nov 8, 2015

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Cam Newton threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as the Carolina Panthers flexed against one of the NFC's established powers, remaining unbeaten by holding off the Green Bay Packers 37-29 on Sunday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium.

The Panthers (8-0) continued the best start in franchise history, but only with a late goal-line stand after nearly squandering a 23-point fourth-quarter lead.

It was another game full of offensive snafus for Green Bay (6-2), which has lost consecutive games for the first time since November 2013 to fall into a first-place NFC North tie with the Vikings (6-2).

Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis intercepted Aaron Rodgers' fourth-and-goal pass from the 4-yard line on the first play after the two-minute warning to seal the outcome. Wide receiver Randall Cobb was wide open on the play, but Rodgers missed him under heavy duress. He had four touchdown passes and was sacked five times.

Even at the regular season's midway mark, Sunday's result between NFC divisional leaders could go a long way in determining the home-field assignments for the playoffs in January.

Newton's numbers were rather ordinary, as he completed 15 of 30 passes for 297 yards with one interception. Rodgers ended up 25 of 48 for 368 yards.

Packers cornerback Demarious Randall intercepted Newton with 3:38 remaining, putting the Packers at the Carolina 22 and trialing by eight.

Green Bay had fourth-down pickups on its final two possessions, but couldn't pick up fourth-and-goal when Rodgers was pressured by defensive tackle Kawann Short and threw up the ball in desperation.

The Packers struck for a 53-yard touchdown on Rodgers' pass to Cobb just one minute into the second half.

A 13-play, 82-yard drive for the Panthers that consumed more than six minutes resulted in a third-quarter field goal. With a 30-14 lead, it helped stall Green Bay's momentum.

Newton's 14-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess sent the Panthers to a 37-14 lead with 9:22 remaining. Funchess dragged Randall the final 3 yards and into the end zone to score his first career touchdown.

The Packers answered with a 29-yard screen pass play to running back James Starks at the 7:54 mark.

Rodgers threw 3 yards to tight end Richard Rodgers with 3:43 left and suddenly Carolina's 23-point lead shrunk to 37-29.

Newton ran for a touchdown and threw for two scores in the second quarter as the Panthers built a 27-7 lead.

He ran in from 1 yard out, threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Greg Olsen and lofted a 39-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Corey Brown.

Green Bay responded to Carolina's field goal on the game's opening possession. Rodgers directed an 11-play drive that ended with his 1-yard pass to Richard Rodgers.

Carolina kicker Graham Gano connected on first-half field goals of 20 and 49 yards, but missed from 43 yards out. He made a 22-yarder in the third quarter.

NOTES: Panthers C Ryan Kalil was back in his starting role after missing Monday night's game against Indianapolis with a high ankle sprain. … Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 77 yards a week earlier in a loss to Denver, exceeded that with 117 first-half passing yards vs. Carolina. … Since entering the NFL in 2012, LB Luke Kuechly of the Panthers leads the NFL in tackles with more than 520. … Green Bay LB Julius Peppers played his first eight seasons with the Panthers. He's in his 14th NFL season. … Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers was the first head coach of the Panthers. … Green Bay is home to face the Detroit Lions next week. … After playing three consecutive home games, the Panthers visit Tennessee next week.