SACK TOTAL A SEASON HIGH BY A CAROLINA OPPONENT:For the first time in 2015, a Carolina opponent recorded at least four sacks. The Panthers previously gave up as many as three sacks only once in 2015 (Oct. 18 at Seattle).The Titans totaled five sacks in the contest, marking their highest number of the season and their most since recording five sacks against Pittsburgh on Nov. 17, 2014.
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THREE CONSECUTIVE SACKS: In the third quarter, the Titans defense recorded sacks on three consecutive plays. First, safetyMichael GriffinsackedCam Newtonfor a seven-yard loss, notching his first sack of the season and the seventh sack of his career. Next,Wesley Woodyardnotched a one-yard sack, giving him four sacks in 2015 and 14.5 in his career. Finally, outside linebackerBrian Orakpo** sacked Newton for a six-yard loss. Orakpo recorded his team-leading sixth sack of 2015 and his 46th career sack.
ORAKPO'S THIRD CONSECUTIVE GAME WITH SACK: Brian Orakpo's takedown of Cam Newton in the third quarter gave him his third consecutive game with at least one sack. It marks the third streak of his career of at least three games with a sack (2010 and 2013), and he is one game short of his career-high four consecutive games with at least one sack as a member of the Redskins in 2013.
SECOND CAREER SACK FOR STAFFORD:In the second quarter, safety Daimion Stafford helped end a Carolina series with a 10-yard sack of Cam Newton on third down. The sack was the second of Stafford's career and his first in 2015.
FIFTH CONSECUTIVE GAME WITH DIFFERENT CORNERBACKS:For the fifth consecutive game, the Titans used a different pair of starting cornerbacks. Since Perrish Cox and Jason McCourty were both in the lineup on Oct. 18 against Miami, the Titans have used a different set of starting cornerbacks every week. Against the Panthers, Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Coty Sensabaugh were the starters, following the starting tandems of McCourty and Sensabaugh (Oct. 25 against Atlanta); McCourty and Wreh-Wilson (Nov. 1 at Houston); and Cox and Sensabaugh (Oct. 8 at New Orleans).
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OFFENSIVE LINE STAYS INTACT: For the first time since Oct. 11 against Buffalo, the Titans' five starting offensive linemen remained the same from one game to the next: left tackleTaylor Lewan, left guardJoe Looney, centerAndy Gallik, right guardChance Warmackand right tackleByron Bell**.
SCORING DRIVE GOES 82 YARDS:In the first quarter, the Titans scored a touchdown on a 10-play, 82-yard drive. It was the team's fifth scoring drive of the season of 80 or more yards and the longest since an 83-yard touchdown series against Indianapolis on Sept. 27. The Titans had an 89-yard touchdown drive in the season opener at Tampa Bay (Sept. 13), an 80-yard touchdown drive against Indianapolis (Sept. 27) and an 80-yard touchdown drive in overtime at New Orleans (Nov. 8).
MARIOTA COMPLETES TWO-THIRDS OF HIS PASSES:For the second consecutive game and the third time this season, Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota completed at least two-thirds of his passes. He was 16-of-24 (66.7 percent) for 185 yards with an interception against the Panthers
HEISMAN MATCHUP:WithCam Newtonplaying at Nissan Stadium,Heisman winner Marcus Mariota and the Titans met up with a Heisman winner on the opposite sideline for the fourth time this season. The Titans already faced Jameis Winston (Tampa Bay), Johnny Manziel (Cleveland) and Mark Ingram (New Orleans) and have Charles Woodson and the Oakland Raiders remaining on their schedule.
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SACKLESS STREAK ENDS: Marcus Mariota **was sacked in the fourth quarter by the Panthers. It was Carolina's only sack of the game, ending a streak by the Titans offense of seven consecutive quarters without allowing a sack.
McCLUSTER SCORES:In the first quarter, running back Dexter McCluster scored his second career rushing touchdown on a 25-yard run. It was the third-longest rushing attempt of his six-year career.
FASANO OVER 3,000:In the first quarter, Anthony Fasano recorded a 19-yard reception to move past the 3,000-yard receiving mark for his 10-year career.
KERN SETS SEASON HIGH: Brett Kern set a season high with a 51.8-yard average on five punts against the Panthers (39.6 net average).
PENALTY LOWS:The Titans set season lows with four penalties and 30 penalty yards.
INACTIVES: The Titans' seven inactive players were wide receiver Kendall Wright, running back David Cobb, cornerback Perrish Cox, cornerback Jason McCourty, offensive lineman Quinton Spain, defensive end Ropati Pitoitua and defensive lineman Mike Martin. Wright (knee), Cox (hamstring) and McCourty (groin) were listed on the injury report leading up to the game.
