According to Sportsradar, Newton is now 12-for-19 (63.2 percent) with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 128.0 passer rating from the no-huddle this season. His numbers when huddling: 124-for-189 (65.6 percent) with nine scores, four interceptions and a 91.2 rating.

Zoom out farther, back to when Sportsradar's no-huddle stats begin in 2015, and you get this: In his past three-plus seasons from the huddle, Newton has completed 58.7 percent of his passes with a 2-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 90.0 passer rating. From the no-huddle, he has a 55.4 completion rate with a 3.2-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 85.4 passer rating.

Make of those numbers what you will. Some will see a huge difference, especially in this year's small sample size. But don't expect the Panthers to look markedly different anytime soon.

"Circumstances dictate a lot of things that happen more so than anything else," Rivera said. "Because there have been situations where we come out and started a game in no-huddle and (went) three-and-out.

"Do we need to look at it? Most certainly. But I don't think that's going to drive who we are as an offense."

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When Rivera handed the game ball to Newton inside a joyous locker room Sunday night, Carolina's coach told his team, "Our guy in the second half didn't flinch. He wanted the ball every chance he got."

A day later, Rivera made an eye-opening analogy, saying that trait in Newton is one he's seen in another superstar.

"He'll come up and say, 'Coach, put it in my hands, Coach. Trust me,'" Rivera said. "It goes back to a little something I learned from Michael Jordan when we were in Chicago.