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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It wasnt long ago when fans in Carolina were wondering when the Panthers were going to generate a consistent pass rush.Now they lead the NFL in sacks.The Panthers had five sacks Sunday in a 28-16 win over the San Diego Chargers , giving them 39 for the season and vaulting them past the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos for the league lead.With starting defensive end Charles Johnson out with a hamstring injury, Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott shuffled his lineup a bit, shifting defensive tackle Kawann Short out to defensive end for a few plays. He also chose some timely blitzes, resulting in two strip-sacks and a safety by Mario Addison, who returned after missing two weeks with an ankle injury.I thought he did a nice job, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said of Short, who finished with four tackles and two sacks. He gave us some really good push when we needed it for the most part. We wanted to start out early.Things we learned from Carolinas win over San Diego:RIVERS FLOODINGThe matchup of the NFLs fourth-leading passer and 30th-ranked passing defense didnt go as might have been expected.Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers turned the ball over five times -- three interceptions and two fumbles at Carolina. Rivers two interceptions pushed him past Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles for the league lead. That makes 10 interceptions in four games, and 12 turnovers during that span.I made some throws I probably wouldnt normally make, with all good intentions, Rivers said. I know that, and Ive said over the years, that usually things dont work out well when you do that. Your follow-up question would probably be, `then why would you do it? Im just trying to give this team a chance. You feel it getting away, and you make some throws you probably really shouldnt.FARROW TAKES OVER AT RBChargers running back Melvin Gordon left Sunday with a hip injury, leaving rookie Kenneth Farrow as the primary ball carrier. Gordon, whod followed a scoreless rookie season last year with 10 TDs rushing through 12 games, left on a cart and didnt return.Farrow finished with 55 yards on 16 carries.If the Chargers look outside the organization for help at running back this week among the free agents available are: Toby Gerhart, C.J. Spiller, and Stevan Ridley.Were just a team fighting and clawing, Rivers said. We lose a man or two every week, and every week, and another man or two steps up and fights like crazy.STEWART USES HEADPanthers running back Jonathan Stewart usually lowers his head to pound out extra yards at the end of runs. On Sunday, he used it to somersault and extend a play .Stewart, whos scored four touchdowns in the past four games, lowered the boom on Chargers safety Jahleel Addae at mid field, after a 10-yard gain. The hit sprung Stewart head over heels. But his helmet rolled off Addaes cleats rather than hitting the ground. Stewart steadied his roll with his right fist on the ground before rambling for 10 more yards and a 20-yard gain.It was awesome, Rivera said. I saw it the whole way and I was trying to cheer him on. Its kind of neat because Jonathan is a physical player. When he gets rolling, I think it really helps with our mentality.The moment wasnt lost on Stewart.Ill retweet it and put it on my Instagram, he said.JOSH NORMAN UP NEXTThe Panthers now turn their attention to the long-awaited matchup with Josh Norman and the Washington Redskins next Monday night. The Panthers used the franchise tag on the All-Pro cornerback in the offseason, then rescinded it, allowing him to sign a $75 million deal with the Redskins.This week is going to be built up a little more media-wise, said Panthers safety Tre Boston, a former teammate of Normans. Were not going to get the chatter that (you expect). It means a lot to a lot of us in here. To have him back, its going to be like brotherly love. Just like when you try to beat your little brother up, as a big brother when youre little. Thats what well try to do this week.NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo tweeted on Sunday night that hed asked Norman when his focus would turn to the Panthers.Already there, Norman was quoted as saying. This will be a fun week. They know what time it is.KUECHLY UNCERTAINPanthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly had been tracking to play on Sunday, but did not clear the final hurdle in the concussion protocol. He has now missed three games, but the Panthers hope to get him back for the Redskins.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Air Max 270 Outlet Store . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. Asics Warehouse Sale . Batiste, who briefly signed with the Eskimos in 2006, has spent time with several NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. http://www.discountaustraliashoes.com/cheap-air-max-90-fake.html .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Air Max 90 Online Store . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. Wholesale Air Max 97 . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night. NEW YORK -- Mark Teixeira rounded first base, raised his right arm in triumph and headed on a celebratory circle of the bases. New York Yankees fans called him out for a curtain call.I remember my first one, he said, and this may be the last.In the final weeks of a 14-year big league career, Teixeira broke open the game with a fourth-inning grand slam, and the surprising Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-5 on a soggy Friday night to extend their winning streak to six.Matching their longest streak this season, the Yankees (75-65) closed within one game of Baltimore and Detroit for the second AL wild card.We can taste it a little bit, Teixeira said. Were hungry right now.In an unfamiliar role of chaser after a 9-17 start, New York has moved a season-high 10 games over .500 with an unexpected spurt that followed the release of Alex Rodriguez and the trades of Carlos Beltran, Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Ivan Nova.Gary Sanchez, one of the Baby Bombers brought up from the minors as part of the youth movement, hit his 12th home run in 31 games, a drive into Monument Park behind the center-field fence in the third. The catcher also picked off a runner at second base from his knees.In a 1-for-17 slump and playing with a bulging disk in his neck and cartilage tear in his right knee, Teixeira started for just the fourth time this month. He needs 90-120 minutes with trainers to prepare for a start, a routine that includes acupuncture, soft tissue massage, laser therapy, ultrasound and hot rub. And the Yankees want to give time at first base to rookie Tyler Austin.Manager Joe Girardi looks at matchups and checks on Teixeiras health before deciding who starts.I have to watch his knee. I have to watch his neck, Girardi said. Sometimes day games after night games are tough,Teixeira doubled off the left-field wall in the third against Blake Snell (5-8) and scored on a wild pitch. With New York ahead 3-2 in the fourth and two outs, the 36-year-old switch-hitter took a fastball away from reliever Kevin Jepsen for a called strike, then watched a changeup hit the dirt.In my mind, Im like, hes going fastballs away, Teixeira said. I said if he makes that same pitch, fastball away, Im going to get out there.He got his bat head out early and drove a 94 mph fastball into the Yankees bullpen in right-center for his 12th home run this season, the 406th of his career, and his 11th big leaague slam.ddddddddddddI didnt know how many more grand slams I had left in me, he said.There were stoppages of 21 minutes in the fourth and 22 minutes in the sixth caused by brief light rain. As a downpour began in the ninth, umpires stopped play with a 2-2 count on Brad Miller after singles by Kevin Kiermaier and Evan Longoria off Dellin Betances put runners at the corners.Betances stayed in after a 51-minute delay and struck out Miller. Logan Morrison hit an RBI single, and Betances fanned Stephen Souza Jr. at 12:11 a.m. for his career-best 10th save.I ran a bike for a little bit, got stretched, put some red-hot on my arm and just made sure I stayed as loose as I can, Betances said.Given a 7-2 lead, Yankees starter Michael Pineda lasted just 4 2/3 innings. When Girardi came to the mound with runners at the corners following a walk and an infield hit, Pineda avoided eye contact as he handed the ball to his manager, then walked slowly to the dugout as Chasen Shreve relieved.Im a little surprised, Pineda said. A little frustration.New York was ahead 3-0 before Morrison and Souza hit consecutive home runs in the fourth. Tampa Bay scored twice in the sixth before Adam Warren (2-1) threw a called third strike past Logan Forsythe. Tyler Clippard got three straight popouts with two on in the eighth.With each passing game, the Yankees sense they have a chance to reach the playoffs. Teixeira wants his finale to be in the postseason.Im emptying the tank, he said. I want to be a big part of this team ... whether its every other night, every third night, whatever it is.SMALL CROWDThe Yankees drew 30,194 after 27,532 on Tuesday and 27,631 on Thursday. Before the homestand, New York had topped 30,000 for every home game since September 2004.The landscape has changed a little bit. Some of the players the people used to come out and see a lot are no longer here, Girardi said. Some of these kids will build a reputation where people are going to get really excited. But part of it is school, too. I mean, that happens. So it will take some time.UP NEXTRHP Masahiro Tanaka (12-4) starts for the Yankees on Saturday against RHP Chris Archer (8-17). Tanaka is 5-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his last six starts; Archer leads the major leagues in losses and strikeouts (211). ' ' '