Cam Newton has a concussion and Carson Palmer is being evaluated for one with the next game coming up quickly.Those are just the latest problems for the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals, both with 1/3 records after playing in the NFC championship game last season.It seemed possible -- even likely -- they would meet again for a Super Bowl berth that Carolina claimed a season ago. Until the Panthers actually played without cornerback Josh Norman and Newton started getting knocked around. Or until the Cardinals opened the season with a home loss to the Tom Brady-less New England Patriots.Now both star quarterbacks are dealing with head injuries.The Panthers confirmed Newtons concussion after a helmet-to-helmet hit at the goal line on his successful 2-point conversion run in a 48-33 loss to Atlanta on Sunday. The Cardinals would only say Palmer was in concussion protocol, but coach Bruce Arians said he doubts the 36-year-old will play Thursday night at San Francisco.Arizona lost to Los Angeles 17-13 , and the surprising Rams are tied with Seattle for the NFC West lead. The Cardinals are at the bottom with San Francisco, and Carolina is in a three-way tie for last with New Orleans and Tampa Bay in the NFC South. The Buccaneers visit the Panthers next Monday night.The Panthers had one of the most surprising personnel moves of the offseason when they pulled a franchise tag contract offer from Norman, immediately making him a free agent. He signed with Washington, and two other veteran defensive backs didnt return in Charles Tillman and Roman Harper.Rookies James Bradberry and Daryl Worley are among the replacements, and Carolina just became the first NFL team to allow a 500-yard passer and 300-yard receiver in the same game. Matt Ryan threw for 503 yards and Julio Jones had 300 yards receiving -- both team records .Bradberry drew most of the assignments on Jones that would have gone to Norman if the Panthers had re-signed him.They put the young corner on me man to man ... and Matt made some great decisions today, Jones said.Newtons decision to pull up near the goal line and take the hit from Falcons linebacker Deion Jones is likely to be questioned, particularly after last years NFL MVP took four helmet-to-helmet hits in an opening loss to the Super Bowl-winning Broncos in a rematch.Atlanta may have illustrated the best way to beat Carolina by limiting the NFLs No. 1 rushing offense (49 yards on 15 carries) while still making Newton uncomfortable at times in the pocket. He was less than efficient at 14 of 25 for 165 yards with a touchdown.In Newton misses any games, the Panthers will have to dig out of an early two-game game deficit in the division with 33-year-old backup Derek Anderson.Theres a pretty good chance the Atlanta loss offered a preview of what Anderson would bring -- a couple of touchdown passes, a chance for a late drive to tie but ultimately a second interception that was returned for a touchdown, ending Carolinas hopes.But its probably worth remembering 2014, when Carolina rallied from 3-8-1 with four straight victories to make the playoffs, even winning a wild-card game.Weve been in this situation before, and four games does not make a season, coach Ron Rivera said. Well start getting ready for Tampa Bay once we get this out of our system.The Cardinals had fourth-quarter leads in two of their losses, including against the Rams, and the last two weeks have been particularly discouraging. Buffalo was winless when it blew out Arizona a week ago.Aint nobody comfortable with this, linebacker Markus Golden said.When the Panthers rallied to make the playoffs in 2014, the Cardinals simply tried to survive after starting 8-1 before losing Palmer to a season-ending knee injury. They ended up 11-5 with Drew Stanton, who will take over again if Palmer is sidelined against the 49ers and beyond after hitting his head on the turf on a late sack.And the other quirk about that season: Arizona still made the playoffs as a wild card, losing to Newtons resurgent Panthers.Now the question is whether both clubs can rally this year.The sky is not falling for us, Arians said. Im sure it is for a bunch of the fans. I am as disappointed as they are, but we have a game Thursday night.Ryans Falcons -- and others in the NFC -- are sensing an opportunity.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuylerCustom Athletics Jerseys . The 43-year-old closer, in his 19th and final big league season, has said hed like to play the outfield. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says hes thinking about allowing Rivera to do it this weekend, when the Yankees finish their season with a three-game series at the Houston Astros. Authentic Custom Athletics Jersey .25 million option on reliever Jose Veras. http://www.customathleticsjersey.com/custom-tony-phillips-jersey-large-75c.html . Parker had 26 points and eight assists and San Antonio beat Toronto 112-99 Monday night. "We won that game because of Tony Parkers aggressiveness," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His juice; his aggression all night long. Cheap Athletics Jerseys . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. Custom Athletics Jersey China . Thats about all he can do right now, so hes trying not to think about when he might be able to play again for the Los Angeles Lakers.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida and Florida State womens basketball teams meet for the 76th time on Thursday, but this marks the first time both teams have been ranked going into their Sunshine State showdown.They had some dominant teams in our early years and weve been able to become a top 10 program in the last few years here, Florida State coach Sue Semrau said. There were a lot of times early where Florida was ranked and we werent.To face each other ranked makes the game even more special.The game is also another example of the strength of the states Division I teams the past two seasons. Florida has four schools in this weeks Top 25 with No. 7 Florida State leading the way. Florida is ranked 23rd while Miami is 14th and South Florida 22nd.Semrau said she looked at Florida, who was coached at the time by Carol Ross when she was hired by the Seminoles 20 years ago, as one of the examples of how to build a successful program.One of the things she taught me a lot about was scheduling because that is one area a coach can control, Semrau said. Its something we take seriously. We want to play a lot of great teams early.The Gators were able to use last years 82-72 victory as the springboard to a 22-9 season and second NCAA Tournament berth in three seasons.Ronni Williams, who had 21 points and 10 rebounds in that game, is once again one of Floridas top players. The senior forward has three double-doubles this season while averaging 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds.That was a game where we came out very confident and aggressive. We did a great job modeling our game onn that the rest of the season, Williams said.ddddddddddddleanna Christinaki, a sophomore forward who can also play both guard spots, leads Florida in scoring (18.6 points per game) and already has four 20-point games this season.The Gators are 6-2 despite playing their first 12 games on the road due to renovations to the OConnell Center. Amanda Butler, a former UF player who is in her 10th season as coach, has been pleased with the results considering the circumstances.Weve experienced a lot of adversity early which has been a good test for us, she said. This will be another good one because Florida State is definitely the best team we have faced so far.The Seminoles (8-1) have won seven straight since their 78-76 loss to top-ranked UConn on Nov. 14. Senior guard Leticia Romero, who missed that game due to a hamstring injury, is averaging 12.9 points since returning and is 11 of 19 on 3-pointers.Romero said after Sundays win over Western Carolina that Florida State has been looking forward to Thursdays game for a long time.Considering last year we lost to them, I feel like this is a great chance for us to redeem ourselves, said junior forward Shakayla Thomas, who leads FSU in scoring (14.7 points per game). We have a great team this year with a whole bunch of depth. Im excited.---More AP college basketball at http://collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25---Follow Joe Reedy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/joereedy ' ' '