NFL

The Carolina Panthers took their bid for an undefeated season a step further on Sunday as they shut out the Atlanta Falcons 38-0 to improve to 13-0. The Panthers scored touchdowns on their first three possessions, forced four turnovers and handed the Falcons (6-7) their sixth straight loss. The Panthers clinched a first-round bye in the playoffs.

The Cleveland Browns (3-10) snapped out of their lethargy behind Johnny Manziel, with a 24-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers (4-9). Manziel passed for 270 yards and a touchdown but the defense also came up big with nine sacks.

With Russell Wilson throwing five touchdown passes (three to Doug Baldwin), the Seattle Seahawks won their fourth in a row, beating the Baltimore Ravens 35-6. The Seahawks are 8-5, the Ravens 4-9.

Cincinnati lost quarterback Andy Dalton (fractured right thumb) for the near future and the Bengals (10-3) also lost 33-20 to the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5).

In the Sunday night game, the New England Patriots (11-2) flattened the Houston Texans 27-6. The Texans are 6-7.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Derrick Henry became the second player from the University of Alabama to win the Heisman Trophy. The Crimson Tide running back follows in Mark Ingram’s footsteps. Henry set the Southeastern Conference rushing record this season with 1,986 yards. … Navy won its 14^th straight game against Army on Saturday. The Midshipmen had some nervous moments in the late going but a missed Army field goal try and an interception finalized a 21-17 triumph. Army (2-10) is done for the season but Navy (10-2) will play in the Military Bowl. Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo is set to interview for the coaching vacancy at Brigham Young University, where his son plays football, on Tuesday.

NBA

The Golden State Warriors finally fell. After an NBA-record start of 24 consecutive victories, the Warriors lost 108-95 on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Texas beat No. 3 North Carolina 84-82 at home on Saturday on Javan Felix’ buzzer beater. Felix scored 25 points and Texas beat UNC for the third straight time.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .