3 things we learned about the Carolina Panthers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The unbeaten Carolina Panthers left no doubt about this one, with contributions coming from all angles.

"We have a saying on offense, 'Let's take turns making plays,'" quarterback Cam Newton said.

There were plenty of those go to around Sunday afternoon as Newton threw three touchdown passes, including two in the first half to wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., as the Panthers punished the Atlanta Falcons 38-0 at Bank of America Stadium.

"We're coming together and we're taking joy in this," Ginn said. "Our deal is to go out there and have a fast start and that's something we've been trying to strive for the whole year and it worked out beautiful for us."

The Panthers (13-0) continued their franchise-best start to the season and clinched an opening-weekend bye in the NFC when the playoffs begin next month. They moved closer to securing home-field assignments throughout the playoffs.

Atlanta (6-7) lost its sixth game in a row, further damaging remote chances to reach the playoffs.

"They came out on fire," Falcons linebacker O'Brien Schofield said. "You can obviously see why they are undefeated. They came and they played their game."

The Falcons came closest to scoring when they reached the Carolina 1-yard line on a fourth-down play with less than 10 minutes remaining. The shutout was something for the Panthers to savor.

"It's huge, I'm not going to lie to you," cornerback Josh Norman said.

This marked the first of two meetings between the NFC South teams this season, though the Panthers had clinched the divisional title a week earlier.

Newton completed 15 of 21 passes for 265 yards, with scoring strikes of 74 and 46 yards to Ginn accounting for the biggest plays. His outing was complete with the Panthers leading 38-0, with Derek Anderson replacing him by the final snaps of the third quarter.

The Falcons were shutout victims for the first time since a 27-0 loss on Dec. 5, 2004, at Tampa Bay. They managed another meager outing in last year's finale, a 34-3 thumping from Carolina.

What we learned about the Panthers:

1. Even backup quarterback Derek Anderson thrives in the Carolina offense.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson passes under pressure. Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI

When starting quarterback Cam Newton went out for a play in the final minute of the first half with the Panthers on a drive, Anderson came in and threw a 24-yard strike to receiver Corey Brown that took the ball to the Atlanta 4-yard line. Anderson played again late in the third quarter and in the fourth quarter of the romp, and it's possible he could receive quite a bit of playing time in the last three regular-season games in an effort to keep Newton healthy.

2. The depth of the Carolina secondary might be growing stronger.

Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI

And that's despite cornerback Charles Tillman missing his fourth game in a row. The Panthers have worked veteran cornerback Cortland Finnegan, a recent signee, into the mix and there seems to be no shortage of defensive backs making contributions. It could become a bit more complicated going forward after cornerback Bene Benwikere exited the Atlanta game with a fourth-quarter broken leg and safety Colin Jones went out with a first-half groin injury.

3. Josh Norman had to be calmed down.

Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI

Cornerback Josh Norman seemed to have a running feud with Atlanta receiver Julio Jones, who entered the game with an NFL-leading 102 catches. Jones finished with seven receptions for 88 yards, but 60 of the yards came in the second half after the Panthers had established a comfortable lead. Norman had to be calmed down by the coaching staff during one break in the action.

Etc.:

--CB Charles Tillman missed his fourth game in a row with a knee injury. The Panthers have the luxury of not hurrying him back into action, but the now month-long absence is longer than initially expected.

--CB Cortland Finnegan played in his first home game with the Panthers after his recent signing. The oft-controversial player, who has vowed to fit in with the Carolina team, made two tackles.

--WR Brenton Bersin missed the Atlanta game with a groin injury. His status could be shaky for the rest of the season, especially considering he was listed as a healthy scratch from the lineup at week earlier at New Orleans.