For the Panthers, it’s a revelation. A team that has opened each of the last two seasons with a 2-8 mark won its third straight game on Thursday night and raised its record to 4-3 in 2013.

For the third straight week, Carolina scored at least 30 points. In the team’s four wins this season, Rivera’s club has outscored the opposition a combined 134-38.

Carolina owned a 14-6 halftime lead, which was hardly news. Ron Rivera’s team has dominated the first half of games this season. In seven contests, the Panthers have outscored the opposition by a combined 82-23 score and have yet to allow a first-half touchdown this season.

Quarterback Cam Newton finished the night with 221 yards passing and a pair of scores and ran for an additional 50 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers totaled 48 yards rushing on the evening.