CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- For a team in danger of missing the playoffs and mired in another two-game losing skid, the Carolina Panthers would seem to have enough on their plate heading into what looks like a must-win stretch.The distractions, however, have been plenty for the Panthers as they prepare for a home game Sunday afternoon with the San Diego Chargers.Not only is Carolina coming off Sunday nights 40-7 throttling from the Seattle Seahawks, but theyre dealing with the fallout from the benching of quarterback Cam Newton at the start of the game because of a violation of the teams dress code.Newton wasnt much of a help when he got into the game.The Chargers have their own issues, losing two of their last three games as theyve been unable to climb into legitimate playoff contention.San Diego (5-7) and Carolina (4-8) are last-place teams in their respective divisions.While physical ailments have been part of the storyline for the Panthers, the shortcomings might extend beyond that. The mental psyche of the team is at the core of recent discussions.You are concerned about them. You are concerned about the mental health of the team, coach Ron Rivera said. Its disappointing because expectations were hot. ... I feel very fortunate that we have a strong culture inside that locker room.Speculation has been simmering about Riveras relationship with Newton after the quarterback, who was the 2015 Most Valuable Player in the league, was held out for the first snap at Seattle because he failed to wear a tie as part of his attire on the teams trip to the game.Newton didnt appear for a scheduled news conference Wednesday. Rivera said the issue of the dress code has been addressed and hes ready to move on.I treat everybody the same, Rivera said. Everybody gets treated the same.Chargers coach Mike McCoy is dealing with questions about the teams personnel and his decision-making with his club unable to make much headway. He said its not fair to paint the entire season with one brush.Everyone is different, McCoy said of each game. Nobody likes to lose. We all understand we have to do our jobs better. Its never just one thing from week to week. Its a different reason for it.Its not easy winning in this league. Look at us. One or two plays can change everything.Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was a full participant in Fridays practice but he was not cleared from the NFL concussion protocol and the team ruled him out for Sundays game.This is the situation were in, Rivera said. Theres no turning around from it. ... You want to be consistent. Weve got four games left in the regular season and were going to play them all one at a time. I think its a good opportunity to see who we are, to see the character and see what we can build on.The Chargers are often sparked by quarterback Philip Rivers, who returns to the state where he starred in college for North Carolina State. But Rivers has thrown 14 interceptions, marking the second-highest total in the NFL this season. He has also thrown for 25 touchdowns.With the microscope on some of the Chargers missteps, the problems are spread across different areas.Its not just the last two minutes of a game, McCoy said. Sometimes the ball bounces your way, sometimes it doesnt.The Chargers, too, have been questioned about the teams collective mindset.We have a lot of good veteran guys around here who keep you upbeat and keep you going, San Diego tight end Hunter Henry said. It makes you sick to your stomach knowing what you could have done and what you could have done in all those other games.Carolina has an 0-3 record this season against AFC West teams, so it will try to prevent a sweep in that regard. San Diego is 1-2 against the NFC South.Rivera was the Chargers linebackers coach in 2007 and then became the defensive coordinator the next year during his four seasons on the San Diego staff. Rivers was the quarterback during that time.McCoy spent nine seasons with the Panthers, serving as receivers coach, quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.I love going back there, McCoy said. A lot of what I do today, I developed with Carolina. Its a special place.The teams havent met since the Panthers won 31-7 on Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. Carolina has won four of the five all-time meetings. Dele Alli Jersey .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Marcus Rashford England Jersey . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. http://www.englandsoccerpro.com/Nick-Pope-England-Jersey/ . Pert has formerly spent time as an assistant coach with Cardiff City, Coventry City, and Bahrain mens national team. 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LAS VEGAS -- Super middleweight Claressa Shields, the two-time U.S. Olympic gold-medal winner, made her professional debut in action-packed style as she powered to a four-round decision victory against amateur rival Franchon Crews on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.Shields, a 21-year-old from Flint, Michigan, was the best female in amateur boxing and named the most outstanding fighter of the womens tournament at the Rio Games in August. She began her pro career by defeating Crews, a decorated amateur who had lost three times to Shields in the unpaid ranks.Shields beat Crews again in the paid ranks and did so handily, winning 40-36 on all three judges scorecards in a blazing fight. ESPN.com also had Shields winning 40-36. Shields victory took place on the undercard of her idol Andre Wards light heavyweight world title challenge against Sergey Kovalev.It feels so good to have just made my pro debut, Shields said. This is what Ive been training for. Im faster and I hit harder. And Im the better fighter. But Crews brought 100 percent, and I respect her for that. I hope to fight next in January or February.?As soon as the bell rang to begin the fight, Shields and Crews stormed toward each other with all-out aggression in what was a blazing first round.dddddddddddd There were several heated exchanges, and they both landed clean punches. The action did not let up in the second round, but Shields appeared to get the better of Crews, even landing a heavy left hand as the round wound down.Referee Russell Mora twice warned Crews (0-1), 29, of Baltimore, for pushing Shields to the canvas and sneaking in some solid blows.Shields (1-0), who earned $50,000, was going hard for a knockout in the fourth round and rattled Crews, who made $10,000, with several hard punches.Its not what I wanted, but to be called on, last minute, for a fight of this magnitude, I am proud of myself, Crews said. We will fight again in the future.Shields, the most decorated female amateur in history who is also a four-time U.S. national champion and two-time world amateur champion, has not lost since 2012 and finished her amateur career 77-1. ' ' '