Panthers crush Falcons 38-0 to extend streak

“We’d love to take a few more guys out, but we just didn’t have the personnel up”.

BROWNS 24, 49ERS 10: Johnny Manziel shook off a first-half interception and sideline meltdown by throwing a touchdown pass in his first start since being benched for off-field antics and Cleveland beat San Francisco.

But both, along with running back Jonathan Stewart and other key veterans, will be needed when the playoffs begin.

NO DEEP THREAT: Despite the presence of Julio Jones, the Falcons don’t seem to have a deep threat.

The Carolina Panthers are undefeated with just three regular season games remaining, prompting the assistant manager of the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook to post odds on the Panthers going 16-0 this season.

Atlanta Falcons’ Matt Ryan (2) prepares to throw a pass as Carolina Panthers’ Jared Allen (69) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. O’Brien Schofield got a cheap unnecessary roughness penalty, where he took three steps before hitting Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

Rust is certainly a worry for teams that rest players, with the possibility that with more than a week off, they could lose their edge.

Quinn said he met with Hageman, Cox and Alford. That it occurred during a game has rubbed some the wrong way, from an Atlanta talk radio hosts to national reporters. He broke free for 44 yards on the third play of the game, showed that the Falcons were not prepared for the Panthers’ rushing attack. Rivera said he understands why Johnson, a Georgia native, wanted to be playing and that he would have preferred Johnson spoke to him rather than the world at large, but that he is “not going to worry about it”.

The running game wasn’t a factor after the Falcons went down 21-0 in the first quarter.

Oakland Raiders (6-7) 15 Denver Broncos (10-3) 12: Brock Osweiler couldn’t get the ball in the end zone and was sacked five times, while Derek Carr threw a couple of touchdowns to make all the difference. Devonta Freeman had 12 carries for 40 yards and Tevin Coleman had three carries for 15 yards.

NEWTON TOUGH TO STOP: Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is clearly in a zone with 13 touchdown passes and only one interception in the last four games.

But the biggest question that remains on everyone’s minds is if the Panthers have what it takes to have a flawless season.

Defensive tackle Kawann Short partied in the Falcons’ backfield for most of the game. He’s exceeded expectations and grown into the leader for the team. “What it is about is making sure we’re healthy and judicious in who play”.

-SPECIAL TEAMS: D. Punter Matt Bosher have five punts for 228 yards (45.6 average).

Atlanta would go on to punt on their first three possessions.

But really, the only difference between them and the Patriots are that Carolina are interested in is finishing their entire campaign unbeaten with the Lombardi Trophy in hand. That was a big play for our defense. The defense also wasn’t ready for the 74-yard touchdown pass to Ginn, the Panthers only fast receiver.

Stewart (left ankle), who ran for 75 yards, and tight end Greg Olsen (left knee) left the game in the second quarter and did not return. They did all of that on their opening touchdown drive.

With 435 yards and 29 first downs, Green Bay got better production out of its inconsistent offense with coach Mike McCarthy assuming play-calling duties again. Since starting 5-0, the offense has been in a tailspin. They might be beyond fixing.