TAMPA, Fla. -- A 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown by tight end Ed Dickson sums up this day on which the Carolina Panthers improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2003.
It was bizarre.
Between heavy downpours and after two Tampa Bay missed field goals that could have kept this one interesting, Dickson caught a Jonathan Stewart fumble in stride and didn't stop until he got to the end zone.
Carolina rode that momentum and another strong effort by the banged-up but opportunistic defense -- five forced turnovers -- to a 37-23 victory heading into the bye week.
Quarterback Cam Newton had an off day passing and the offensive line was suspect in its protection. But the defense forced rookie quarterback Jameis Winston to commit five turnovers -- a fumble and four interceptions, none bigger than Josh Norman's 46-yard return for a touchdown in the first quarter.
What it means: Carolina kept pace with the Atlanta Falcons, also 4-0, in the NFC South. The Panthers won the games they were favored to win leading up to a tough, four-game stretch after the bye, beginning with a trip to Seattle. They did it without key players such as middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, out the past 3½ games with a concussion.
One reason to get excited: Undrafted rookie Ryan Delaire, now dubbed the "Fresh Prince of Delaire." He was signed from Washington's practice squad on Wednesday. He had two sacks and several pressures. He stood out more than Jared Allen, the NFL's active sacks leader (134), acquired in a trade with Chicago on Monday. The defense needed pressure from its ends, and this kid provided it.
One reason to panic: The upcoming schedule -- at Seattle, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Green Bay. It doesn't seem as tough as it appeared when the schedule came out because Philadelphia and Indianapolis have struggled, but it's a "murderers' row" in comparison to an opening schedule of Jacksonville, Houston, New Orleans and Tampa Bay.
Fantasy watch: Tight end Greg Olsen figured to be a big part of the offense after catching 14 passes for more than 200 yards and two touchdowns on 25 targets in the past two games. He was limited to two catches for 28 yards, all in the first half.
Ouch: For the first time this season the Panthers escaped without a major injury. If they can get Kuechly and wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery back after the bye they'll be in good shape.
Strange but true: With less than two minutes left in the first half and the Carolina defense struggling, Allen and Delaire were at defensive end. Neither was on the team a week ago.