CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers pass rush has suddenly come alive -- and so too have the defending NFC champions.The Panthers have 12 sacks in their last two games leading to a pair of victories over the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams to improve to 3-5 on the season.It remains to be seen whether the Panthers have changed the course of their season. Theyll find out soon enough. Carolina hosts Kansas City (6-2) on Sunday, the start of an eight-game stretch that includes six games against teams with a winning record and three division leaders.We definitely feel like we still control our own destiny, said linebacker Thomas Davis, who had 10 tackles, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble in Carolinas 13-10 win over the Rams . Its a really good feeling. You dont want to be at the mercy of anyone else. As long as we continue to string wins together and come away with the victory, thats all that matters.The Panthers have the leagues third-best run defense, allowing just 77.5 yards per game and a league-low 3.3 yards per carry. But their pass defense was a huge issue the first six weeks of the season, contributing to a 1-5 start.Carolina managed just 12 sacks in its first six games combined, but had eight against the Cardinals two weeks ago and four on Sunday.The Panthers 24 sacks are now third-most in the NFL.Carolinas defensive ends, which have struggled to get to the quarterback all season, accounted for three of those sacks on Sunday, two by pass rush specialist Mario Addison.Since the bye week, the Panthers have been rotating defensive ends more frequently trying to keep players fresh.The strategy seems to be working.We do a ton of rotation, coach Ron Rivera said. We liked what we did. We thought the guys up front gave us the perfect push and surge we needed.Rivera also said it helps that the Panthers have gotten a lead in both games, allowing their defense to establish the pass rush.Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly called it a group effort on defense, saying the defensive linemen are getting a better push and the teams secondary -- which includes three rookie cornerbacks -- are improving in coverage. Rookie cornerback James Bradberry was able to play after missing the last three games with a turf toe injury. And veteran nickel cornerback Leonard Johnson, who is 2-0 since being activated from injury list, has provided a boost on passing downs.Our guys up front have done an excellent job these last few weeks, and a lot of credit goes to those guys, Kuechly said after Sundays win. A lot of the credit goes to the coaches for putting us in positions to be successful. Everybody tackles. Its fun to see those (rookie cornerbacks) really growing.Rams quarterback Case Keenum said the Panthers were good, but he made some mistakes that didnt help his team.There were a couple of times where I didnt move well enough in the pocket and it wasnt even pressure, I didnt have the pocket presence and didnt have a clear view on a few third-downs to pull the trigger, Rams quarterback Case Keenum said after the game.While Carolinas defense has improved, big games remain on the schedule including one more trip through the NFC South.Carolina was victimized early in the season by Atlantas Matt Ryan and New Orleans Drew Brees, who threw for a combined 968 yards and eight touchdowns. The Panthers host the Saints a week from Thursday in a rematch.The Panthers believe these two wins can help change the course of the season after a 1-5 start.---AP NFL website: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Joe Caldwell Jersey . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Bob McAdoo Jersey . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. https://www.cheappistonsonline.com/ . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Terry Mills Jersey . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Thon Maker Jersey . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. TAMPA, Fla. -- Mike Evans has reversed course on his decision to protest the national anthem as long as Donald Trump is president-elect and will stand with his Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates, opting to find what he calls more effective ways to communicate his message.In a statement released Tuesday to ESPNs Josina Anderson and the Tampa Bay Times, Evans apologized to the military and anyone else offended by his actions Sunday, when he sat during the national anthem before the Buccaneers game against the Chicago Bears.I want to start by apologizing to all the U.S. military members, their families, and the fans who I offended by my actions on Sunday, Evans said in the statement. It was never my intention as I have tremendous respect for the men and women who serve our country.I have very strong emotions regarding some of the many issues that exist in our society today. I chose to sit as an expression of my frustration towards this years election. It was very personal for me, as it was for so many Americans.With that being said, I will not sit again during the National Anthem because I want to focus my efforts on finding more effective ways to communicate my message and bring about change by supporting organizations and movements that fight for equal rights for minorities.This Sunday, I wwill be back to standing with my teammates.ddddddddddddsked to clarify Evans definition of the word minorities, the receivers agent, Deryk Gilmore, said it includes people of color