WHAT IT MEANS
Carolina’s magical season continues.
The Panthers embarrassed the Redskins Sunday, turning a 14-all tie into a 44-16 blowout. The game got so out of hand, the second-string defense played most of the fourth quarter while QB Derek Anderson mopped up for Cam Newton. All he did was throw for a career-best five touchdowns, with a team-record four coming in the first half. Not bad for a guy whose play has been overshadowed by sign stealing and dancing the past two weeks.
Newton and the Panthers put up so many big numbers and broke enough records that our weekly Stats and Superlatives post may take all night to compile.
The most important numbers are these, though: The Panthers improved their best-ever start to 10-0 and extended their league-high win streak to 14 straight regular-season games.
They now have a quick turnaround for this week’s Thanksgiving Day game in Dallas against former friend Greg Hardy. With QB Tony Romo back, the Cowboys will be coming off a 24-14 win at Miami. Meanwhile, the Panthers' lead in the NFC South is now four games after the Falcons fell to 6-4 with a 24-21 loss to the Colts.
TOP PLAYS
- Chris Culliver, meet Jonathan Stewart.
Loved this @Jonathanstewar1 run. Put Culliver down w/ a stiff arm, turned a loss into a 1st down https://t.co/gczby1UNqE#Panthers#ProDucks
— Stephen Nelson (@Stephen__Nelson) November 22, 2015
2. Fourth TD pass of the first half for Cam Newton.
.@CameronNewton + @gregolsen88 = ???????????? pic.twitter.com/mRSp1Oj654
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 22, 2015
3. Devin Funchess is growing up before our eyes.
Fun Fun! #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/EgA5TBmoke
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 22, 2015
NOTABLE NUGGETS
—The Panthers' defense forced a franchise-high five fumbles. Their six takeaways tie for the second-most in franchise history.
--The Panthers scored 31 points in the first half, the most they've ever put up in the first two quarters of a game.
—The Panthers’ nine-game home winning streak is the longest in the NFL.
—The Panthers have scored at least 20 points in every game this year. That 10-game streak is their longest ever.
—Redskins QB Kirk Cousins was sacked a season-high five times. Washington came in ranked first in the NFC and second in the NFL for fewest sacks allowed (12).
—Of the 15 teams that have gotten to 10-0, all made the playoffs and nine reached the Super Bowl. Six won the Super Bowl.
HEALTH WATCH
—LG Amini Silatolu limped off with a knee injury in the third quarter and was replaced by Chris Scott the rest of the way.
—FB Mike Tolbert tweaked his left ankle in the fourth quarter, but he returned to finish off the game.
—RB Fozzy Whittaker walked off gingerly late in the fourth. He appeared to be grabbing his hip, which has been bothering him.