Stats and Superlatives: Browns at Panthers

THE PANTHERS:

Snapped a 10-game winless streak against the AFC North. Their last win over a team from the division was a 23-21 victory against the Ravens on 10/15/06.
Improved to 4-1 all-time against the Browns.
Have won three straight games for the first time since the end of last season.
Had nine first downs in the first quarter and held the Browns to eight first downs in the game.
Have dominated first downs (55-23), total yards (796-515) and time of possession (75:26-44:34) in their last two games. Their total margin of victory in those wins is six points.
Rushed for more than 200 yards for the second time in three games. They’ve averaged 195.3 rushing yards in their last four games. In their previous 11, they rushed for an average of 96.5.
Have allowed QB Cam Newton to be sacked once in his last two games.
Held an opponent to fewer than 20 points for the fourth time in their last five games.
Held an opponent to fewer than 100 rushing yards for the fifth time in their last six games.
Allowed their fewest completed passes (10) since the Bears completed nine on 10/2/11.
Have allowed an averaged of 15.2 points over its last five games (two punt block touchdowns vs. Vikings not included).
Started a franchise-record seven rookies (WR Kelvin Benjamin, WR Philly Brown, G Trai Turner, G Andrew Norwell, LB Adarius Glanton, CB Bené Benwikere, FS Tre Boston). They broke a franchise record by starting six rookies last week, which edged out the previous record of five set a week earlier.
Can win the NFC South title with a Week 17 victory in Atlanta for the second straight year.
Could be the first team since the 1970 Bengals to reach the postseason after a six-game losing streak.

THE BROWNS:

Have lost 11 December/January games in a row, the longest such drought in the NFL.
81-yard touchdown was their longest play of the season.
Had two completions that totaled 109 yards. In their other 19 attempts, they completed eight passes for 57 yards and an interception.

PANTHERS:

Coach Ron Rivera improved his record to 14-3 in December. After winning two challenges Sunday, he’s won three in two weeks. His overall record in challenges is now 6-of-18.
QB Cam Newton had his eight game-winning drive in the fourth quarter and his second this season (Chicago). Newton had four such drives last year and one in each of his first two seasons.
RB Jonathan Stewart has 437 rushing yards in his last four games. His receiving touchdown was his first since 9/16/12. Stewart’s four scores this season are his most since he had five in 2011.
WR Kelvin Benjamin caught five of his 12 targets for 47 yards. He has 999 receiving yards this year.
WR Jerricho Cotchery caught all five of his targets for the second straight game.
TE Greg Olsen, who had 10 receptions in each of his last two games, tied a season low in targets and receptions. He also had just three targets and one reception against the Seahawks. Olsen now has 981 receiving yards this year.
TE Ed Dickson had a season-high 44 receiving yards. His 34-yard reception was his longest since he had a 43-yarder for the Ravens in Week 5 last year.
DE Kony Ealy celebrated his 23rd birthday with his second sack in as many games. The rookie now has three sacks this season.
DE Charles Johnson has 7.5 sacks in his last 11 games. He had none in his first four games this year.
DT Kawann Short picked up his third sack of the season. He had 1.5 sacks as a rookie last year.
CB Josh Norman has multiple interceptions (2) during a season for the first time in his career.