.That led to the trade that netted prospects Jose Almonte, a right-ha

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry grew up competing against Cam Newton in the Atlanta area.On Sunday, Berry got the best of his better-known high school rival, intercepting the reigning league MVP and returning it 42 yards for a touchdown to help the Chiefs to a 20-17 come-from-behind win over Carolina Panthers.We always had battles back in the day from 7-on-7 camps to everything, Berry said. Its good to come out on top.The Chiefs defense has been coming out on top all season.They entered the game leading the league in takeaways with 20 and added two more on Sunday -- both of those coming at key moments in the fourth quarter while the offense was struggling.You need a little spark there and we got it, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.Berrys fourth career interception return for a touchdown gave the Chiefs the spark they needed, cutting the lead to 17-14, and Marcus Peters stripped Kelvin Benjamin to set up Cairo Santos winning 37-yard field goal as time expired.It sounds as if Peters must have been listening to defensive coordinator Bob Sutton in practice.Hes a manic on that, about stripping the ball, Reid said. If you look at it close, (Benjamin) kind of juggled it just a bit and Marcus felt it and went for the rip.Here are a couple more things to know about the Chiefs and Panthers:CHIEFS PENALTIES A CONCERNFor the second consecutive week, penalty flags provided some anxious moments for Reid. Last week, it was tight end Travis Kelce, ejected after two unsportsmanlike penalties against Jacksonville. Against Carolina, Reid waited out the officials after Peters punted the ball in celebration following his game-changing strip and fumble recovery.He does a lot of great things. Hes a gifted guy, Reid said. But hes not a punter. Im going to go block the next one.The penalty went for 5 yards for delay of game -- not 15, for unsportsmanlike conduct. Cairo Santos kicked the game-winning field goal three plays later, from 37 yards.Youre talking about two emotional guys, Reid said of Kelce and Peters. I love them, but theyre giving me gray hair. Im too old for this.NEWTON BACK ON THE RUNThe struggling NFC champion Panthers unleashed Newton on Sunday, giving him his most extensive action as a runner since his concussion on Oct. 2. Newton carried 12 times for 54 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown against a defense that hadnt allowed a rushing touchdown since Week 4.Newtons first carry went for 28 yards. Kansas City limited him to 26 more on 11 carries after that. Carolina finished with 99 yards rushing total.Coach kept calling my number, Newton said. We just have to find ways to run the football more, when we have to and when we want to.SMITHS NEW SLANT ON SLIDINGChiefs quarterback Alex Smith missed last weeks game against Jacksonville after a couple of hits two weeks earlier against Indianapolis. The team says Smith wasnt concussed, but he said coming into Sundays game against Carolina that he would either slide earlier -- or not at all.(Sliding) is still a tool, said Smith, who rushed four times for 13 yards against Carolina. In traffic, you want to remain a football player. Ive been playing a long time. Remain a football player, (keep) your eyes up. Its a better way to get out of those situations. Even if you get the 15-yarder (penalty), youre still defenseless to get teed-off on.PANTHERS PUNTERCarolina could be in the market for a short-term punter after Andy Lee injured his hamstring in the first quarter. The Panthers host New Orleans on Thursday, so they might need to make a move soon.Kicker Graham Gano punted four times Sunday for a 45.0-yard average. His longest went for 54 yards, although two sailed too long and went for touchbacks.Coach (Ron) Rivera is always talking about `next man up, so I just tried to step in, catch the ball and get it off, Gano said.HOT STREAKThe Chiefs five consecutive victories are part of a 17-2 record in their past 19 games. Thats the best record in the NFL during that stretch.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFLScarpe New Balance Scontate New Balance Scontate . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. http://www.scontatenewbalance.it/ . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. New Balance Ingrosso . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. New Balance Saldi . Kiriasis and brakeman Franziska Fritz finished two runs in one minute 55.41 seconds -- a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Meyers and Lolo Jones, who likely bolstered her Olympic hopes by helping give USA-1 a huge push in the second heat.SAN FRANCISCO -- The Arizona Diamondbacks have traded closer Brad Ziegler to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for two minor league prospects.The deal was announced late Friday night after the Diamondbacks 6-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants.Ziegler, who owns Arizonas club record of 43 consecutive saves, is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season. Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart had been in talks with Zieglers agents regarding an extension but those negotiations stalled.That led to the trade that netted prospects Jose Almonte, a right-handed pitcher, and infielder Luis Alejandro Basabe.With no real certainty of whether wed be able to bring (Ziegler) back on a multi-year deal we just decided that wed be able to get some pretty good prospects for him, SStewart said.dddddddddddd. The core of our team is still here. This isnt a case of us throwing in the towel at all.Ziegler was 2/3 with a 2.82 ERA and 18 saves in 36 appearances this season. For his career, he is 32-24 with a 2.49 ERA and 81 saves over nine seasons.The Diamondbacks latest loss dropped them 17 games behind the Giants in the NL West, and 10 behind the New York Mets for the leagues second wild card.I dont really any words to say about it, its just something that has to happen, manager Chip Hale said. Its partially (because) we havent played well enough to keep him. We should have played better and these things wouldnt be happening. ' ' '