WHAT IT MEANS

The Carolina Panthers are off to their best start ever. They're now 6-0 after beating the Eagles, 27-16 Sunday night. Six straight wins to begin the season breaks a tie with the 2003 Super Bowl team for the hottest start in franchise history. The win also extends a franchise-best regular-season win streak to 10 straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL.

The game didn't feel as close as the final score because of numbers mistakes by the Panthers. QB Cam Newton was intercepted three times, even though only one could be truly pinned on him; the defense allowed RB Ryan Mathews to break off a career-best 63-yard run; and the Panthers couldn't throw a knockout punch in the second half. But then, DE Jared Allen and DT Kawann Short terrorized QB Sam Bradford on the Eagles' final drive.

After a soft schedule to start the season, the Panthers have gone 2-0 in their 'second quarter,' topping two teams they couldn't beat last year. Next up, the dysfunctional Colts will be at Bank of America Stadium next Monday night before Carolina gets another chance to avenge a 2014 loss when the Packers come to Charlotte in Week 9.

 

TOP PLAYS

Josh Norman doing Josh Norman things

Josh Norman just out here making PLAYS. pic.twitter.com/WUcA2IMMpD

— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) October 26, 2015

 

Human bowling ball

Cam Newton to Mike Tolbert #CARvsPHI https://t.co/6MuynU81Oq

— NFL 2K Football (@NFL2kFootball) October 26, 2015

 

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• The Panthers remain ahead of the Falcons in the NFC South by half a game. 

• The Panthers snapped their four-game prime-time regular-season losing streak. 

• RB Jonathan Stewart has 120 rushing yards tonight, the first time an RB has hit 100 vs PHI in 19 games and just the second in last 29.

• The Panthers scored their first offensive touchdown in the first quarter this season on a 2-yard run by FB Mike Tolbert. 

• DT Kawann Short, the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week after a six tackle, two sacks and one pass defensed performance in Seattle, totaled eight tackles, three sacks, one pass defensed with a forced fumble. 

• Newton’s 2-yard touchdown in the second quarter was his 37th career rushing score, which moved him into a third-place tie with Steve McNair for third-most all-time by a QB. Newton now trails only Steve Young (43) and Kordell Stewart (38) for the most since the 1970 merger.

• The Panthers, Patriots, Bengals, Broncos and Packers are all 6-0. Five teams at 6-0 is a new NFL record. 

 

HEALTH WATCH

• DE Mario Addison walked straight to the locker room after injuring what appeared to be his right shoulder midway through the third quarter. That position is already dangerously thin with Frank Alexander on injured reserve and Charles Johnson out until Thanksgiving.

• LB Luke Kuechly gave the crowd a scare when he was slow to get up after making a tackle midway through the fourth quarter. He missed one play as trainers looked at Kuechly's left shoulder before he sprinted back onto the field.