receiver DeAndre Hopkins, when asked

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolinas defense forced five turnovers by Philip Rivers, recorded five sacks and a safety, and the Panthers defeated the San Diego Chargers 28-16 on Sunday.Cam Newton was a pedestrian 10 of 27 for 160 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception for Carolina (5-8), which snapped a two-game losing streak and kept its slim playoff hopes alive. Jonathan Stewart ran for 66 yards and a touchdown and Graham Gano had four field goals.But it was Carolinas defense that set the tone early -- and later put the game away.Despite playing without middle linebacker Luke Kuechly and defensive end Charles Johnson, the Panthers had four sacks on Rivers and forced three turnovers in the first half to build a 23-7 lead.One of those turnovers, a strip-sack by Kawann Short, proved extra costly for the Chargers (5-8). Running back Melvin Gordon, who came in averaging 117.5 yards from scrimmage and had scored 12 touchdowns, was carted off with a hip injury after his left leg twisted under a pile while attempting to recover the loose ball. He did not return.The Chargers later lost defensive end Joey Bosa to a neck injury.Rivers, who played at North Carolina State, finished 21 of 39 for 236 yards with three interceptions and two touchdown passes in his return to the Carolinas. He also fumbled twice on sacks.Despite trailing 26-16, the Chargers seemed to seize momentum briefly with 11 minutes left in the game when Trovon Reed intercepted Newton in the end zone and appeared to take it back 99 yards for a touchdown. But instead of it being a three-point game, officials ruled Reed was down by contact at the 3-yard line before ever got going.Three plays later, Mario Addison sacked Rivers in the end zone for a safety and the Chargers never threatened again.BOSA INURES NECKBosa, the No. 3 pick in the draft, left in the second quarter with a neck injury after a sack on Newton. Bosa didnt appear to have his head up as he collided with the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Newton in the pocket and his neck snapped back.Cornerback Craig Mager also left in the first half with an elbow injury and did not return.NEWTON SCAREThe home crowd held its breath when Newton left the game late in the third quarter after taking a hit to the side of the head from defensive end Corey Liuget. But Newton returned to the game one play later.HE DID WHAT?Stewart had a highlight reel 20-yard run when he somersaulted over Chargers defender Jahleel Addae, landed on Addaes ankle with his helmet and somehow kept his balance to pick up another 5 yards.FINALLY, A WIN VS. WESTThe Panthers got their first win against an AFC West team after losing to Denver, Kansas City and Oakland earlier this season.GANO PERFECTGano was perfect on the day, converting all four field-goal attempts from 23, 41, 44 and 45 yards.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Ecco Shoes China . 9. Price, heading to the 2014 Olympics for Canada, was named the First Star after posting wins in three starts with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .971 save percentage. Cheap Saucony Shoes China . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. http://www.cheapshoeschinaonline.com/ .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. China Shoes Sale . The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling "puts an end to my dreams of being a top player," the 27-year-old Troicki said in a statement. "I worked my entire life for it, and it has been taken away from me in one afternoon by a doctor I didnt know," said Troicki, whose ranking peaked at No. Cheap New Balance Shoes China . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. Wide receiver Andre Johnson has told the Tennessee Titans he is retiring after 14 seasons, the team announced Monday.Going back to his days at the University of Miami, Andre was one of the most impressive wide receivers Ive scouted, Titans general manager Jon Robinson said in a statement. He had a professional approach to the game both on and off the field and in my opinion is one of the best to have played the game. I enjoyed getting to know and work with him in his time with our team.A seven-time Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans, Johnson had been a backup on the Titans depth chart this season. He had nine receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns in 2016 but hadnt made a catch since Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins.Johnson made his legacy in Houston, where he is by far the franchise leader in receiving yards, receptions and receiving touchdowns.The 35-year-old steps away 10th in the NFL in career receiving yards (14,185) and ninth in career receptions (1,062).Texans owner Bob McNair told the Houston Chronicle that he would love to see Johnson in the Hall of Fame.That would be terrific. I think he deserves to be there, McNair said. Itd be a reflection on what we have done with our franchise in that weve produced a player who was of that quaality.ddddddddddddTexans linebacker Brian Cushing said Monday he was shocked to hear that his former teammate was retiring.Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins, when asked whether in his mind Johnson is a Hall of Famer, said: In everybodys mind, not just mine.Hopkins, who now is one of the NFLs top receivers, remembered Johnson mentoring him in his first few seasons.It was very big to have a guy of his status and who has played a lot of football to teach me a lot of things about the game of football and about life in general. He basically groomed me my first couple years I was here, he said.Running back Arian Foster, Johnsons longtime teammate in Houston, also announced his retirement last week.Johnson led the NFL in receptions in 2006 (103 catches) and 2008 (115). He topped the league with 1,575 receiving yards in 2008 and 1,569 yards in 2009, two of his seven seasons with more than 1,000 yards.He bounced around the AFC South after being released by the Texans after the 2014 season. He played one season for the Indianapolis Colts in 2015 and joined the Titans this offseason.ESPNs Sarah Barshop contributed to this report. ' ' '