An efficient Cam Newton completed 21 of 26 passes to lead the undefeated Carolina Panthers to a 27-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 10. Here's what you need to know:
- The Panthers stuck with their winning formula, becoming the first team since the 1989-90 Chicago Bears to run for at least 100 yards in 20 consecutive games. Newton got off to the best start of his career, completing his first 11 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. A better-than-advertised Titans defense stiffened in the second half and sacked Newton a season-high five times, but the MVP candidate led a back-breaking, 10-play touchdown drive to put the game away late in the fourth quarter.
- After Marcus Mariota nearly matched Newton throw-for-throw in the first half, the Titans' offense went in the tank in the second half, failing to score a single point. Mariota closed out the final two quarters with an interception, three drives that ended in punts and a lost fumble by Dexter McCluster. With Kendall Wright inactive for a second straight game, Mariota has no reliable weapons beyond tight end Delanie Walker.
- Carolina's defense is fueled by five legitimate stars in cornerback Josh Norman, defensive tackles Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei and linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. They will welcome back a sixth in two weeks, as pass rusher Charles Johnson is expected back from IR boomerang for the Week 12 matchup with the Cowboys. The Panthers don't play an opponent with a winning record until a pair of NFC South showdowns with the Falcons in Weeks 14 and 16.
- Greg Olsen is on pace for his second straight 1,000-yard season. After hauling in all eight of his targets -- including a highlight-reel one-handed gem -- Olsen's 664 yards are second only to Rob Gronkowski's 693 among NFL tight ends.
