Matchup Notes
--The Panthers rushed for 154 yards against Baltimore, the sixth 100-yard rushing game this season for Carolina. The Panthers rank second in the NFL with 138.9 rushing yards per game.
--Carolina's offensive line played well against a Ravens front that led the league in sacks heading into last week's game. The Panthers did not allow a sack and have only given up 10 sacks this season. That mark ties for the second-fewest sacks in the NFL and ties for the second-fewest sacks through the first seven games in franchise history.
--Cam Newton continues to be outstanding in the red zone. He leads the NFL with a 120.7 passer rating in the red zone, throwing nine passing touchdowns and rushing for four touchdowns without throwing an interception.
--Through the season's first seven games, Newton has career bests in completion percentage (66.4), passing touchdowns (13) and fewest sacks (10), while it's his second-best start in passer rating (97.6), interception rate (1.7) and rushing yards (309).
--Mike Adams made his 30th career interception against Baltimore, one of three turnovers the Panthers caused. Adams now has 46 career takeaways, the most among all active players. Adams and Donte Jackson are both tied for second in the NFL with three interceptions.
--One week after playing the NFL's best defense in terms of total yards allowed, the Panthers play the NFL's best offense in terms of yards produced (467.6). The Buccaneers lead the NFL in passing yards per game (376.3) and are seventh in scoring (28.7).
Upcoming Milestones
The Panthers have a number of milestones coming into reach each week:
--Carolina has won nine home games in a row dating back to last season. That streak ties the Patriots (9) for the longest active home win streak in the NFL. New England's last home loss came against the Panthers (10/1/17). Carolina's franchise record is 14 straight home wins, including the playoffs, which came from the end of the 2014 season through the start of the 2016 season.
--Cam Newton (31,349) needs 79 total yards to pass Dan Marino (31,427) for third-most combined yards (passing and rushing) through a quarterback's first eight seasons.
--Devin Funchess (149) needs 3 receptions to pass Kris Mangum (151) for 10th in catches in franchise history.
--Christian McCaffrey (951) needs 49 receiving yards to become just the fourth running back in franchise history with 1,000 receiving yards. He would become the 22nd player with 1,000 receiving yards in franchise history.
--DJ Moore (85) needs 14 rushing yards to pass Ted Ginn (98, 2016) for the most rushing yards by a wide receiver in a single season in franchise history.
--Greg Olsen (7,698) needs 221 receiving yards to pass Jackie Smith (7,918) for seventh all-time in receiving yards among tight ends.
--Julius Peppers (156.5) needs four sacks to pass Kevin Greene (160.0) for the third-most sacks in NFL history since it became a statistic in 1982. Peppers (51) needs two forced fumbles to pass Robert Mathis (52) for most forced fumbles since 2000, the earliest that the NFL has official forced fumble rankings.
--Luke Kuechly (875) needs 42 tackles (press box stats) to pass Patrick Willis (916) for the most tackles in an NFL player's first seven seasons.
--Mario Addison (41.0) needs 1.0 sack to pass Kevin Greene (41.5) for fourth place in franchise history in sacks.
Connections
Tampa Bay head coach Dirk Koetter was on the Boise State coaching staff and Arizona State staff with Panthers strength and conditioning coach Joe Kenn.
Panthers regional director of college scouting Eric Stokes was the director of college scouting for the Buccaneers from 2012-13.
Panthers area scout Mike Martin spent four seasons in the Buccaneers scouting department from 2003-07.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht was a scout for the Panthers in 1998.
Buccaneers defensive line coach Brentson Buckner played for the Panthers from 2001-2005.
Buccaneers secondary coach Jon Hoke is the older brother of Panthers defensive line coach Brady Hoke.
Panthers tackle Chris Clark originally signed as an undrafted free agent with Tampa Bay in 2008, before being waived later that year.
Buccaneers linebacker Adarius Taylor spent time on the active roster and practice squad with the Panthers from 2014-15.
Some Panthers players have Florida ties including: Bryan Cox, Jr. and Michael Palardy (St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) and Graham Gano (Florida State). Cox attended University of Florida.
Several Buccaneers players have ties to the Carolinas including: Robert Ayers, Jr. (Bennettsville, S.C.); Adam Humphries (Spartanburg, S.C./Clemson); Isaiah Johnson (Cary, N.C./South Carolina); MJ Stewart (North Carolina); Chandler Catanzaro (Clemson); Ryan Smith (N.C. Central) and Shaun Wilson (Duke).
