No necktie, no start for quarterback Cam Newton

The Panthers made sure Newton’s benching had little impact on the outcome, dropping the game 40-7. Rivera has always been a Newton defender in practically every situation, but in this case he punished the prodigal quarterback and chose to let the chips fall where they may. He looked dapper as usual in a black turtleneck and matching hat, but he broke a team rule. The Panthers spent the week in California after playing the Raiders, and Newton said that he didn’t have a dress shirt with him and, by the time he realized he was without one, didn’t have time to shop for a shirt that would fit.

Last winter, his trousers were the talk of the Internet when he arrived in California for Super Bowl 50, but note one key thing: he is wearing a tie.

True to Thomas’ nature, he was talking about the break he made on the ball as he laid on the ground in pain, teammate Richard Sherman said.

Defensive end Charles Johnson sacked Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson on fourth down for a loss of 10 yards to open the second quarter. It was forced and recovered by Seattle’s K.J. Wright. Seifert’s colleague, Jeff Darlington, noted that the punishment “is especially odd since Ron Rivera is among the most reasonable, player-empowering coaches in the NFL”. The Panthers held Seattle to a field goal, and Newton took the field for the second series.

The Panthers’ first offensive play ended up being a pass by Derek Anderson that deflected off Mike Tolbert’s hands and into the arms of linebacker Mike Morgan, but that play didn’t cost Carolina the game.

Oakland’s high-powered offense racked up 24 points in the first half, and Seattle tallied 23 points Sunday night. Though he and the secondary gave up two early touchdown passes, they gave up no scores over the final 48 minutes in Florida.

It’s the first major injury of Thomas’ career and the emotional safety immediately became reflective, tweeting during the game that he was contemplating retirement. Pittsburgh totaled 264 yards rushing on 34 carries.

Newton’s touchdown bomb to Ginn Jr. went 61 yards in the air. Their first punt came with 6:22 left in the third quarter. “He does it with his play”, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said on Monday.

Sunday’s loss cemented that the Panthers will continue their streak of never having consecutive winning seasons.

“We didn’t lose this game because of a tie”. Carolina LB Luke Kuechly missed his third consecutive game due to a concussion. In the third game of his return he romped. It’s one of those things you just have to let him sit back and breathe, let him sit back and go through his process.

The message also is one that will also resound loudly in the Panthers’ locker room: No one player – no matter how important – is bigger than the team.

“I’m sick and exhausted of the reffing in this league right now”, Vikings defensive end Brian Robison said. “Shoot, I really wanted to get back to the Super Bowl and win it”.