The Panthers keep taking calculated risks, and they keep working.
Cam Newton dove across for a touchdown on fourth-and-inches, and threw a touchdown pass to stake the Panthers to a 17-6 halftime lead over the Bucs.
The Panthers have been energized by coach Ron Rivera’s willingness to go for it lately, and he keeps letting his giant quarterback and giant fullback (Mike Tolbert) convert those chances.
The result has been a confidence you can’t quantify, as the Panthers have won seven in a row and appear set to make it eight.