Missed two-point conversion enables Lions to escape vs. Panthers

DETROIT – Cam Newton took a shotgun snap and set up in a clean pocket, surveying the field from sideline to sideline. The star quarterback had time and an open receiver in the end zone, giving the Carolina Panthers a chance to convert a go-ahead, two-point conversion against the Detroit Lions.

Newton, though, wasted the opportunity by sliding to his left and sailing an off-balance throw behind and over Jarius Wright.

Instead of earning a comeback victory to bolster Carolina's playoff hopes, Newton's errant pass with 67 seconds left enabled Detroit to hold on for a 20-19 victory Sunday.

"I let this team down, and I've just got to be better," Newton said.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera went for the win after Newton threw his third touchdown pass to rookie receiver D.J. Moore, who leaped in the corner of the end zone to make the catch.

"I think you go for two on the road," Rivera said.

Newton's line looked good, going 25-for-37 for 357 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. But with a chance to help the Panthers (6-4) avoid losing two in a row for the first time this season and at least improve their wild-card positioning, Newton failed to deliver a relatively simple pass in a pressure-packed situation.

The Lions (4-6) recovered an onside kick to seal the victory and end a three-game losing streak. They were in a position to win after Matthew Stafford threw a go-ahead, 19-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Golladay with 5:19 left. Stafford rolled to his right and threw toward the end zone, connecting with Golladay, who leaped just inside the 5 and landed in the end zone with a score that stood after review.

"He just gave me a nice, pretty, high ball," Golladay said. "I like balls like that for me to just use my size, hands, athletic ability to go up there and make the catch."

Golladay had eight catches for 113 yards and his go-ahead touchdown help keep Detroit's fading hopes of saving its season alive.