Panthers Survive Late Rally by Favre, 32-29

Green Bay’s Brett Favre threw four touchdown passes but couldn’t overcome two early turnovers and the Carolina Panthers held on for a 32-29 victory Monday night at Charlotte, N.C.

The Packers fell to 0-4 for the first time since 1988.

Rallying Green Bay from a 19-point third-quarter deficit, Favre threw two touchdown passes and for two two-point conversions in the fourth quarter. The Packers got the ball with no timeouts left and 1 minute 58 seconds to play for a final drive and Favre completed two passes before Carolina (2-2) held on a fourth and two.

“I was just praying for our defense to get a stop,” said Jake Delhomme, who threw two touchdown passes for Carolina. “He was awesome tonight. I’m just honored to be on the same field with him.”

Favre finished 28 for 47 for 303 yards. It was his 19th game of four touchdown passes or more, second to Dan Marino’s record 21.

Packer receiver Terrence Murphy was taken off the field on a stretcher in the second quarter after what appeared to be a helmet-to-helmet tackle by Thomas Davis.

Murphy lay motionless on the field for several minutes. The Packers said he was alert and awake in the locker room with movement in his limbs, but was complaining of numbness and tingling. He was transported to a hospital for further evaluation and Coach Mike Sherman said Murphy would spend at least one night there.

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Detroit receiver Charles Rogers will be suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, ESPN reported.

Unless Rogers appeals, the suspension could be announced this week, ESPN reported, citing sources.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league had no comment.

Rogers has five receptions for 77 yards this season. After the Lions lost to Tampa Bay, 17-13, on Sunday, a game in which he wasn’t thrown a pass until the fourth quarter, Rogers said he was confused about his current role.

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Quarterback Michael Vick is expected to start against New England on Sunday after an MRI exam confirmed that he did not seriously injure his right knee in Atlanta’s 30-10 win over Minnesota.