It's easy for the Carolina Panthers to focus on the results these days after another key victory with a dicey ending. "It felt great how we played because we stopped them at the end," defensive end Kony Ealy said. "But we have to learn how to put our foot down on their throats." Cam Newton threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as the unbeaten Panthers (8-0) held off the Green Bay Packers 37-29. This one was not secured until linebacker Thomas Davis made an interception on a fourth-down play near the goal line after the Packers (6-2) threatened to wipe out a 23-point deficit in the last eight minutes. Davis intercepted Aaron Rodgers' fourth-and-goal pass from the 4-yard line after the two-minute warning. Wide receiver Randall Cobb was open, but Rodgers missed him under heavy duress from defensive tackle Kawann Short. Rodgers had four touchdown passes and was sacked five times. "I just made the catch, but it was fourth down anyway," Davis said. "I cannot stress enough how much (Short) meant going in there and making it happen." The Panthers continued the best start in franchise history with their second victory in less than a week after recovering in overtime to defeat the Indianapolis Colts Monday night. Green Bay lost consecutive games for the first time since November 2013 to fall into a first-place NFC North tie with the Vikings (6-2). Colts 27, Broncos 24: Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts spoiled the Denver Broncos' perfect season and quarterback Peyton Manning's potential record-setting day with a 27-24 victory. Adam Vinatieri kicked a 55-yard field goal with 6:13 for Indianapolis (4-5). Cornerback Darius Butler intercepted a Manning pass 13 seconds later, and Denver (7-1) never got the ball back. Luck, who replaced Manning in Indianapolis following the 2011 season, completed 21 of 36 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Manning finished 21 of 36 for 281 yards and two touchdowns. He needed 284 yards to pass Brett Favre's NFL career record and needed one victory for his 187th, which would break Favre's NFL record. Patriots 27, Redskins 10: The undefeated New England Patriots made it eight wins in a row, cruising to a 27-10 victory over the mistaken-prone Washington Redskins. Quarterback Tom Brady threw two more touchdown passes and running back LeGarrette Blount ran for 129 yards and a touchdown as the Patriots scored 14 quick points before the Redskins ran their second play. Brady was intercepted for only the second time this season, but rebounded with touchdown passes to wide receiver Julian Edelman and running back Brandon Bolden. Blount ran five yards for another score. Vikings 21, Rams 18 (OT): Blair Walsh connected on a 40-yard field goal with 9:20 left in overtime to lift the Minnesota Vikings to a 21-18 win over the St. Louis Rams. The win lifted the Vikings (6-2) into a first-place tie atop the NFC North with the Packers. Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein connected on a 53-yard field goal to tie the score with 12 seconds left in regulation. Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley was limited to 89 yards and a touchdown, snapping a streak of four consecutive games of at least 100 yards. In other games it was: Titans 34, Saints 28 (OT); Steelers 38, Raiders 35; 49ers 17, Falcons 16; Giants 32, Buccaneers 18; Bills 33, Dolphins 17; Jets 28, Jaguars 23; Eagles 33, Cowboys 27 (OT). — Agencies
