CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β The Carolina Panthers are the lone unbeaten team in the NFC after Graham Gano’s (gah-NOHZ’) second field goal of overtime completed a 29-26 triumph over Indianapolis. The Panthers blew a 17-point lead in the final 7:04 of regulation and allowed the Colts to hit the first field goal of OT before improving to 7-0. Cam Newton threw for 248 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the Panthers’ 11th straight regular-season win since last December.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) β The San Francisco 49ers are changing quarterbacks and moving one of their top offensive threats. A person with knowledge of the decision says quarterback Colin Kaepernick (KAP’-ur-nik) has been told he won’t start Sunday and will be replaced by backup Blaine Gabbert. News of the move came as the team traded tight end Vernon Davis to Denver in a deal that included draft picks.
PITTSBURGH (AP) β Steelers All-Pro running back Le’Veon (LAY’-vee-ohn) Bell is done for the season. He injured his right knee Sunday against Cincinnati and the Steelers have placed him on injured reserve. Bell rushed for 556 yards and three touchdowns on 113 carries this season, and he also had 24 receptions for 136 yards.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) β Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett is due in court later this week following his weekend citation with a misdemeanor offense of operating a vehicle under the influence. Barrett has been suspended for one game after he was stopped at a Columbus police check point early Saturday morning. The 20-year-old Barrett took over as the full-time starter for the top-ranked Buckeyes on Oct. 24, throwing for 223 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-7 win over Rutgers.
MIAMI (AP) β The Miami Marlins have introduced Don Mattingly as their new manager, the team’s seventh since June 2010. Mattingly went 446-363 with the Dodgers and won the NL West the past three years, but the team was just 8-11 in the postseason and did not reach the World Series. He inherits a ballclub that was 71-91 under Mike Redmond and Dan Jennings last season.
