Denver, will move back to the nickel corner if Smith does pla

Cam Newton has a concussion and Carson Palmer is being evaluated for one with the next game coming up quickly.Those are just the latest problems for the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals, both with 1/3 records after playing in the NFC championship game last season.It seemed possible -- even likely -- they would meet again for a Super Bowl berth that Carolina claimed a season ago. Until the Panthers actually played without cornerback Josh Norman and Newton started getting knocked around. Or until the Cardinals opened the season with a home loss to the Tom Brady-less New England Patriots.Now both star quarterbacks are dealing with head injuries.The Panthers confirmed Newtons concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit at the goal line on his successful 2-point conversion run in a 48-33 loss to Atlanta on Sunday. The Cardinals would only say Palmer was in concussion protocol, but coach Bruce Arians said he doubts the 36-year-old will play Thursday night at San Francisco.Arizona lost to Los Angeles 17-13 , and the surprising Rams are tied with Seattle for the NFC West lead. The Cardinals are at the bottom with San Francisco, and Carolina is in a three-way tie for last with New Orleans and Tampa Bay in the NFC South. The Buccaneers visit the Panthers next Monday night.The Panthers had one of the most surprising personnel moves of the offseason when they pulled a franchise tag contract offer from Norman, immediately making him a free agent. He signed with Washington, and two other veteran defensive backs didnt return in Charles Tillman and Roman Harper.Rookies James Bradberry and Daryl Worley are among the replacements, and Carolina just became the first NFL team to allow a 500-yard passer and 300-yard receiver in the same game. Matt Ryan threw for 503 yards and Julio Jones had 300 yards receiving -- both team records .Bradberry drew most of the assignments on Jones that would have gone to Norman if the Panthers had re-signed him.They put the young corner on me man to man ... and Matt made some great decisions today, Jones said.Newtons decision to pull up near the goal line and take the hit from Falcons linebacker Deion Jones is likely to be questioned, particularly after last years NFL MVP took four helmet-to-helmet hits in an opening loss to the Super Bowl-winning Broncos in a rematch.Atlanta may have illustrated the best way to beat Carolina by limiting the NFLs No. 1 rushing offense (49 yards on 15 carries) while still making Newton uncomfortable at times in the pocket. He was less than efficient at 14 of 25 for 165 yards with a touchdown.In Newton misses any games, the Panthers will have to dig out of an early two-game game deficit in the division with 33-year-old backup Derek Anderson.Theres a pretty good chance the Atlanta loss offered a preview of what Anderson would bring -- a couple of touchdown passes, a chance for a late drive to tie but ultimately a second interception that was returned for a touchdown, ending Carolinas hopes.But its probably worth remembering 2014, when Carolina rallied from 3-8-1 with four straight victories to make the playoffs, even winning a wild-card game.Weve been in this situation before, and four games does not make a season, coach Ron Rivera said. Well start getting ready for Tampa Bay once we get this out of our system.The Cardinals had fourth-quarter leads in two of their losses, including against the Rams, and the last two weeks have been particularly discouraging. Buffalo was winless when it blew out Arizona a week ago.Aint nobody comfortable with this, linebacker Markus Golden said.When the Panthers rallied to make the playoffs in 2014, the Cardinals simply tried to survive after starting 8-1 before losing Palmer to a season-ending knee injury. They ended up 11-5 with Drew Stanton, who will take over again if Palmer is sidelined against the 49ers and beyond after hitting his head on the turf on a late sack.And the other quirk about that season: Arizona still made the playoffs as a wild card, losing to Newtons resurgent Panthers.Now the question is whether both clubs can rally this year.The sky is not falling for us, Arians said. Im sure it is for a bunch of the fans. I am as disappointed as they are, but we have a game Thursday night.Ryans Falcons -- and others in the NFC -- are sensing an opportunity.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler Vans Old Skool For Sale Cheap . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. Vans Old Skool Shoes Sale Uk http://www.cheapoldskooluk.com/ . Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats. Vans Old Skool Clearance . Robinson finished with 17 points, all but two in the second half, and Lawson had 14 after halftime and finished with a game-high 11 assists as the Nuggets handed Dallas its first home loss in eight games this season. J.J. Hickson led Denver with 22, and Kenneth Faried added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Vans Clearance Outlet Uk . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Cornerback David Amerson has what he believes is the perfect remedy for the Raiders defense to counter the high altitude in Mexico City.Get off the field -- quickly -- so that Oaklands high-scoring offense can take over.Its a plan the Raiders had great success with against defending Super Bowl champion Denver two weeks ago and something they hope to continue Monday night against the Houston Texans.We put a big emphasis on it and guys really take it on, Amerson said Thursday. If we can go out there and get three-and-outs or turnovers, if we can just stay off the field and keep the ball in our offenses hands, well be good.The Raiders forced three-and-outs on five of the Broncos first six drives in Week 9, allowing them to build a comfortable early lead during a 30-20 win that gave Oakland sole possession of first place in the AFC West heading into its bye last week.Theyll try to match that against the Texans when the two teams play at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The altitude there is 7,382 feet -- nearly 1,700 feet higher than Mile High Stadium in Denver.That could be a pivotal factor against Houston, which is why Amerson feels its even more important this week for Oaklands defense to limit its time on the field.If we can have that same mentality going into every game I feel like we would be even more of a force than we already are, Amerson said. Theyve got some speedy guys on the outside so just staying locked in to it . playing fundamentally sound football, staying on top of guys and not giving up the big plays.Equally key will be the Raiders ability to slow down the Texans fifth-ranked running game while at the same time trying to stop Houston quarterback Brock Osweilers quick release.A lot of quarterbacks try to get rid of the ball quick, Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. said. Some hold iit a little bit longer but the good ones dont hold it too long.ddddddddddddWhenever you have those situations, guys are catching and running with the ball. So we have to be really good tacklers.The Raiders could get a lift from the expected return of cornerback Sean Smith, who has been out since suffering a shoulder injury on the second play from scrimmage against Tampa Bay on Oct. 30. Smith has been limited in practice this week but the team is optimistic he will start against Houston.DJ Hayden, who started at cornerback against Denver, will move back to the nickel corner if Smith does play.With or without Smith, Amerson believes the Raiders have improved significantly on defense since the beginning of the season. Although Oakland is 28th in yards allowed and 30th in pass defense, he points to the teams success on third down as proof.The Raiders are allowing opponents to convert 33.3 percent on third down, tied with Miami for lowest in the AFC and second overall behind Baltimore.With giving up all the points and yards early in the season, it really comes off a handful of plays, Amerson said. I dont think that defines us as a defense so its not surprising we can go out there, one of the top teams on third down. I feel like we should be one of the top teams on defense period. If we can just focus and eliminate ... all the little plays that go for 60, 70 yards ... well be up there with anybody in any category.Game notes Wide receiver Amari Cooper (back), running back Latavius Murray (ankle), left guard Kelechi Osemele (knee), center Rodney Hudson (knee) and defensive tackle Stacy McGee (ankle) were all limited for a second straight day.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '