Weekend NFL Recap

The Carolina Panthers remained unbeaten but the Denver Broncos did not.

The surprising Panthers moved to 8-0 by handing the Green Bay Packers their second consecutive defeat by a 37-29 count. The Broncos fell to the Indianapolis 27-24 despite rallying from a 17-0 deficit. The Colts snapped a three-game losing streak.

The other unbeaten teams: The New England Patriots, who rolled over the Washington Redskins 27-10, and the Cincinnati Bengals, who won last Thursday. Both are 8-0.

The Tennessee Titans, in Mike Mularkey’s first game as head coach after the firing of Ken Whisenhunt, went into New Orleans and beat the Saints 34-28 in overtime.

In the Sunday night game, Sam Bradford threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Matthews in overtime and the Philadelphia Eagles edged the Dallas Cowboys 33-27.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Ohio State, which was picked No. 1 in the preseason poll, had continuously lost ground, if not games, all season. They are atop the poll no longer. Clemson, after a 23-13 victory over Florida State, unseated the Buckeyes, who beat Minnesota 28-14. Clemson is No. 1 in this poll for the first time since the final poll of the 1981 season, when it won the national championship. Ohio State is second, Alabama third, Baylor fourth and Oklahoma State fifth.

The College Football Playoff rankings, which ultimately determine the four-team field for the national championship, will be released on Tuesday night.

GOLF

Scotsman Russell Knox became the first player to win a WGC event in his debut when the 30-year-old shot a 4-under 68 for a two-shot victory over Kevin Kisner at HSBC Champions in Shanghai. Knox only got into the tournament 10 days ago, qualifying as an alternate. He entered the final round in a five-way tie for the lead.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .