Weekend Update

The Carolina Panthers’ unbeaten season is no more. The Atlanta Falcons handed the Panthers their first defeat – and first in 18 regular-season games – by a 20-13 count on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

The Arizona Cardinals won their ninth consecutive game, immolating the Green Bay Packers 38-8 and sacking Aaron Rodgers 10 times. The Minnesota Vikings claimed the final playoff spot in the NFC by destroying the New York Giants 49-17.

In the weirdest outcome of the day, the New York Jets topped the New England Patriots 26-20 in overtime. The Patriots won the coin toss in overtime and, oddly, elected to kick off. They never saw the football again. The Jets can now clinch a playoff berth by beating the Buffalo Bills in the regular-season finale.

The Kansas City Chiefs also nailed down a playoff berth with their ninth consecutive victory. They beat the Cleveland Browns 17-13.

On Saturday night, the Washington Redskins won the NFC East by beating the Philadelphia Eagles 38-24.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

In a foul-strewn meeting between bitter in-state rivals on Saturday, No. 12 Kentucky nipped No. 18 Louisville 75-73. The Wildcats let a 16-point lead get away in the second half but never trailed. … No. 4 Maryland dominated Marshall on Sunday, winning 87-67 in its last game before Big Ten play begins for the Terps on Wednesday against Penn State.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

A bunch of college bowl games, played in half-filled stadiums, allowed people to kill time over the weekend. If any of those games should come up in conversation – and, you may be assured, the Independence Bowl often does create interesting chatter at the water cooler – then go with Shreveport’s moment in the sun and Virginia Tech’s wild 55-52 victory over Tulsa. Frank Beamer, 69, ended his 29-year run as VT’s coach with a win in the same Louisiana stadium in which he led the earned his first postseason triumph 23 with the Hokies 23 years ago.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman