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-NFLAir Force 1 All White Outlet .Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head. Air Force 1 Replica . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season. https://www.cheapairforce1outlet.com/ . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. Air Force 1 On Sale . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. Air Force 1 Off-White Outlet .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament.Affectionately nicknamed the Klubot, Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber is a machine on the mound, so mechanically sound and precise. In fact, hes so quietly consistent that many dont realize that, by at least one measure, he has been the second-best pitcher in the majors over the past three years. (Clayton Kershaw is No. 1, of course.)How is Kluber so effective? Lets take a closer look at his uniique repertoire to find out, and for good measure, lets see if we can develop a game plan against him.dddddddddddd The Cubs will need a little luck -- a few pitches on the corners called balls, a few loopers falling in -- to have success against him, but it can be done. ' ' '