North Carolina Sports: The Weekend In Review

Carolina Panthers 27, Detroit Lions 24

Another strong performance from Cam Newton lifted the Carolina Panthers (4-1) over the Detroit Lions (3-2) in the cat fight at Ford Field.

Coming after the controversy regarding a female Charlotte Observer reporter, Newton, who had since publicly apologized for the incident, did not let his off-field actions deter him from lighting up the Lions’ defense for three touchdowns on 26-of-33 passing for 355 yards. Ed Dickson led the team in receiving yards with 175 on five catches, including a 54-yard catch on a Newton bootleg that led to a touchdown reception by Christian McCaffrey.

The defense gave Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford a rough time. The Panthers sacked Stafford a total of six times for a loss of 37 yards with Kawann Short leading the way with two. Short also forced a Lions’ fumble that was scooped up by Thomas Davis. The turnover would result in a Graham Gano 44-yard field goal on the ensuing Carolina drive, which ended up being the difference in the game.

Next: NC State Wolfpack: State Clips Cardinals

For the Panthers, this gave the team first place in the NFC South with Atlanta on a bye week. The win also put the Cats at a spotless 3-0 on the road. However, Carolina has a short turnaround with Philadelphia coming to Bank of America Stadium Thursday.