Game balls from Dallas Cowboys’ 33-14 loss to Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers rolls out against the Washington Redskins during their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 22, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Early in the Cowboys-Dolphins game in Miami Sunday, it was evident that Dallas had an improvement in quarterback play compared to the past seven games.

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.

But now, they are without Romo again. But he said he would await more test results Friday before knowing whether he could return. Coach Jason Garrett said x-rays taken when Romo came out of the game were inconclusive. He rolled over on his left shoulder as he was tackled, and said after the game it was a similar feeling.

Linebacker Luke Kuechly intercepted two straight passes by Romo, returning the first 32 yards for a touchdown.

Romo completed 11 of 21 passes for 106 yards and three interceptions before getting hurt in the Cowboys’ 33-14 loss to Carolina.

“We’ve never really pretty much paid attention to anybody being the underdog or whatnot”, Newton said. “Defense went out there and brought their A-game and made our job a lot easier”.

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.

► Lions 45, Eagles 14: Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson combined for one of the best games of their careers, helping surging Detroit keep Philadelphia reeling. He finished 27-of-38 for 337 yards and threw five TDs for the fourth time in his career. The Carolina Panthers were well on their way to handing the Cowboys their first loss this season in a Romo start. Hardy had 34 sacks in 63 games with Carolina, including two seasons of 10-plus sacks. The Panthers held the Cowboys to 210 total yards and kept Dallas out of the end zone until the fourth quarter. Jerricho Cotchery had four of the five catches, with one of the 24-yarders on third-and-17. He had been out for seven weeks with a collarbone injury, so there was hope for the season from diehard Cowboys fans.

In a corresponding move, the Saints signed cornerback Chris Owens, a former San Jose State player whose last regular-season action came last season with Kansas City.

“I figured, ‘Why put (the defense) in a bad spot and I really do mean that”, Rivera said. Many had them going to the Superbowl this year, and unfortunately for Dallas, they will have to wait until next year to make a Superbowl run. The Lions are just 3-7 but they’re better than their record suggests. “I don’t know what else to say”.