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.
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Late in the second quarter, Kuechly stepped in front of a Romo pass and returned it 32 yards for a score.
Cam Newtown fared better than Romo, but couldn’t match his five-touchdown performance from a week ago in the win over the Washington Redskins. Then Kuechly scored the first touchdown of his National Football League career in the second quarter and had another interception on the very next offensive play.
Romo was sacked on the final play of the third quarter and left the game with an injured shoulder_the same left shoulder that suffered a fractured clavicle in the second game of the season against Philadelphia. The Panthers held the Cowboys to 210 total yards and kept Dallas out of the end zone until the fourth quarter.
The Cowboys dropped to 3-8 and remain in last place in the NFC East, 2 ½ games behind the New York Giants. Two clutch catches in third-and-long situations by wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery sandwiched around a Cowboys penalty on a Gano field goal set up Newton for a 4-yard touchdown run.
However, Newton and the Carolina offense could not cash in for a touchdown. After suffering their eighth loss in nine games, going down 33-14 against the undefeated Panthers, all hopes of salvaging this Cowboys’ season seem to have gone out the window.
“There are many reasons to celebrate on Thanksgiving, and I am honored to perform on behalf of two iconic organizations to kick off the season of giving with the Red Kettle Campaign”, said country music star Luke Bryan.
Oher was among the Panthers’ players and coaches who visited with Hardy after the game.
“Oh, I don’t know”, Romo said when asked about the challenge of getting ready on a short week with Carolina looming. “When I say that, I mean just the way that I’m used to playing. I’m just disappointed I wasn’t able to play better”.
Romo had struggled against the Panthers defense, completing 11 of 21 passes for 106 yards and three interceptions.
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KUECHLY THE CAPTAIN: Carolina led 13-3 when Kuechly and the NFL’s leading defense for takeaways put the Panthers firmly in control. The sold out crowd will be forgoing their turkey dinners to watch their beloved Cowboys in what’s become their own Thanksgiving Day tradition, with the team playing on Turkey Day for the past 19 seasons!
