Against Indianapolis, Stewart had 82 yards with a touchdown. Adam Vinatieri kicked a field goal from there to send it overtime. However, the weather leveled the playing field as the Colts’ defense managed to force three turnovers against the Panthers’ offense. He way a key part in keeping the Colts out of the end zone throughout overtime. Newton, a 26-year-old, had trouble getting a grip on the ball all night. But Andrew Luck had flipped a switch, and now the Indianapolis Colts were in front, 26-23, endangering Carolina’s unblemished record.
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Cam Newton was 16 of 35 for 248 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Hopefully the 26-year-old Auburn University product can learn from his mistakes and start making smarter decisions in order to protect both himself and the ball. But Kuechly stepped up and got a pick for his interception of the season.
“This team has it’s confidence”, Robinson said. It was good to see Indy make an attempt to stick with the rush game, even when hey continued to fall behind, but it came with limited success.
As electrifying as it is to watch Newton dash down the field, there are concerns over his inability to avoid contact, as ESPN color commentator Jon Gruden was quick to point out on the broadcast. Newton and Colts QB Andrew Luck were the No. 1 overall draft choices in 2011 and 2012, respectively…. Next week, Luck will look for his 100th career passing touchdown. At the end of the half, it was 10-6 Panthers.
For the third straight week, the Colts were left trying to compile a final-quarter comeback from more than a score down. The fumbled was recovered by Billy Winn, a defensive tackle.
If Carolina beats Green Bay in Charlotte on Sunday, the Panthers will take a two-game lead in the loss column at the top of the conference.
-COACHING: B. Head coach Ron Rivera and his staff deserve credit for overwhelming the reeling Colts until early in the fourth quarter. Carolina scored once again, this time an eight-yard score from Newton to Corey Brown.
Luck’s 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Andre Johnson pulled the Colts to within 23-13 with 7:04 left.
Vinatieri connected from 47, 34, 24 and 50 yards, each coming on a soaking-wet, puddle-filled field and in pressure-packed situations (his 50-yarder came in overtime and temporarily gave the Colts a lead).
As is their custom, Carolina had to hang on to win.
But somehow, activists protesting a natural gas project, managed to get sophisticated gear into the Panthers-Colts game in Charlotte on Monday night.
“I think all together I like where we are”.
The Carolina Panthers haven’t made their flawless mark look easy, but they exit Week 8 of the season as one of four undefeated teams nonetheless. The seven wins match their win total from last season.
At 3-5, the Colts and Texans are tied atop the division with Indianapolis holding the early tiebreaker thanks to their Week Five win in Houston.
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“It’s a long season, and our goals are still attainable”, Luck said.
