Are 4-0 for just the second time in their history. They started 5-0 during their 2003 Super Bowl season.
Won their fourth game of the season in nine fewer games than it took last year. The 2014 Panthers didn’t earn their fourth win until Week 14 at New Orleans.
Have won eight straight regular-season games.
Are 19-2-1 when scoring at least 20 points since the start of 2013.
Won their fifth straight game against the Bucs. That ties a team record for Carolina’s longest win streak in the series (2003-2005).
Forced five takeaways, their most since the Bucs turned it over five times on 12/6/09. The Panthers now lead the NFL with a +8 turnover margin.
Scored 10 points in the first quarter after totaling three opening-quarter points through their first three games. The Panthers’ offense still hasn’t scored a touchdown in the first quarter.
Went 3-for-11 on third down. The Panthers have converted 12 of their 35 third downs after going 8-for-17 in Week 1.
Allowed the Bucs to go 8-for-16 on third down. Tampa Bay came in ranked 31st in the NFL on third down after going 1-for-12 against the Texans last week.
Allowed 411 yards, the most they’ve given up in a win since the Saints picked up 441 in a Panthers’ 44-38 victory in the 2012 season finale.
Gained 244 yards, their fewest in a win since they picked up 222 against the Saints in a Panthers’ 17-13 win on 12/22/13.
Allowed the Bucs to rush for 141 yards, the second time the defense has given up at least 100 yards in its last 11 regular-season games. The Bucs rushed for 151 in Week 15 last year.
Rushed for 133 yards, the 15th straight game they’ve gained at least 100 yards on the ground. That ties a team record and is one more than Seattle as the longest current streak in the NFL. The Seahawks play the Lions Monday night.
Totaled just 111 net passing yards, their fewest in a win since they threw for 85 yards behind Jake Delhomme against Arizona on 11/1/09.
Committed five penalties after being flagged 10 times against both the Texans and Saints.
Panthers Player Stats:
Coach Ron Rivera improved to 3-2 against his former boss, Bucs coach Lovie Smith. After Rivera went 1-for-2 on challenges Sunday, he’s 3-for-6 this year and 9-for-24 in his career.
QB Cam Newton improved to 5-2 against the Bucs with 12 touchdowns passes and four interceptions in those seven games. His 124 passing yards were the second-fewest of his career behind his total of 114 against the Falcons in last year’s season finale. Newton has been sacked seven times in 2015, the fewest through his first four games of a season.
RB Jonathan Stewart had a season-low 10 touches. He had 22 in Week 1, 18 in Week 2 and 14 in Week 3.
WR Ted Ginn scored multiple receiving touchdowns in a game for the first time in his career. In 20 games with the Panthers, Ginn has eight receiving touchdowns. In 104 games with the Dolphins, 49ers and Cardinals, Ginn had six receiving touchdowns. Through four games this season, Ginn has 12 receptions for 206 yards. Last year in Arizona, Ginn had 14 receptions for 190 yards.
WR Brenton Bersin had a career-best 30-yard reception. His four receptions and 54 yards were also career highs. Bersin has caught five of his six targets since being called up from the practice squad.
WR Philly Brown has one catch for three yards on three targets his past two games.
WR Devin Funchess did not have a catch on two targets. He has three receptions on 12 targets this season.
TE Greg Olsen was targeted six times after totaling 25 targets his past two games.
TE Ed Dickson had just the third regular-season fumble recovery touchdown in Panthers’ history. The others: Casey Crawford against the Rams (12/23/01) and Louis Murphy at the Bears (10/28/12).
DE Ryan Delaire had two sacks in his NFL debut. He’s now tied with Mario Addison for the team lead.
DE Kony Ealy had a career-high five tackles.
CB Josh Norman has four interceptions through four games after totaling three interceptions his first three seasons. According to the NFL, Norman is the first player with two interception returns for touchdowns in the first four weeks of a season since Charles Woodson in 2008.
The Bucs:
Lost their 11th straight game at home. It’s been 666 days since they last won at Raymond James Stadium, a 27-6 victory over the Bills on 12/8/13.
Bucs Player Stats:
QB Jameis Winston threw four interceptions. In the first three games of his career, the rookie threw three picks.
RB Doug Martin rushed for 106 yards, the first time the Panthers have allowed a 100-yard rusher since Saints’ RB Mark Ingram went for 100 in Week 9 last season.
WR Mike Evans caught three of his eight targets a week after he caught seven passes on 17 targets.