Lions Struggle, Lose To Panthers 24-7
By STEVE REED/AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers are back atop the NFC South.
Newton made a successful return from a rib injury that sidelined him the first week, throwing for 281 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers' 24-7 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
He completed 22 of 34 and overcame four sacks. Carolina started 2-0 for the first time since 2008 and took over sole possession of first place in the division after Atlanta lost to Cincinnati.
Trailing 7-6 in the third quarter, the Panthers took advantage of back-to-back Detroit turnovers and scored on three straight possessions.
Carolina's defense, playing without Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy, had three takeaways and held the Lions scoreless in the first half one week after Matthew Stafford and company put up 35 points against the Giants. Hardy, convicted on two counts of domestic violence on July 15, was a surprise inactive.
The Panthers decided not to play Hardy a day after the Minnesota Vikings announced they would deactivate Adrian Peterson, who was indicted on child abuse charges.
Mario Addison filled in nicely for Hardy with 2 { sacks.
Stafford threw for 291 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked four times.
The Lions (1-1) took a 7-6 lead early in the third quarter when Stafford connected on a 1-yard touchdown pass to fullback Jed Collins, who bowled over NFL Defensive Player of the Year Luke Kuechly en route to the end zone.
But the lead was short-lived.
Newton bounced back leading the Panthers on an eight-play 72-yard drive and connected on his first TD pass of the season, a 14-yard strike to Jason Avant on a slant route.
Thomas DeCoud tipped a deep ball from Stafford and Melvin White intercepted to set up Carolina's next score. Rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who struggled with dropped balls all day, hauled in a one-handed grab along the left sideline. Stewart capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run and Newton threw to Jerricho Cotchery for a two-point conversion to put Carolina up 21-7.
Jeremy Ross fumbled the ensuing kickoff Panthers kicker Graham Gano recovered the fumble. Gano then made his third field goal of the game for the final score.
Wearing a thick flak jacket, Newton didn't change the way he played.
He scrambled from the pocket on one second quarter run and dived headfirst instead of sliding. He did the same thing near the goal line midway through the fourth quarter.
The plays where similar to the preseason game against New England when the fourth-year quarterback broke free from the pocket and dove headfirst only to get kneed in the ribs by a Patriots player. That hit sidelined Newton for the season opener against Tampa Bay.
The Lions failed to take advantage of their scoring opportunities with rookie Nate Freese missing two field goals, Joique Bell fumbling in Carolina territory and Calvin Johnson dropping a potential TD catch.
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