• Norv Turner was handed the keys to the Panthers offense this year, and it is impressive how he has combined what he likes to do with what Cam Newton excels at. He left all the read-option stuff in the playbook and has used Newton's arm strength as a weapon in a downfield passing attack. There are vertical and intermediate routes nearly every play that will consistently challenge the Giants safeties (and linebackers in zone) to be in the right spot to prevent chunk plays.

• With all those vertical routes dragging defenders away from the line of scrimmage, McCaffrey often leaks out of the backfield to catch short passes that can turn into five to eight-yard gains with potential for more if he can make the initial defender(s) miss.

Inside the Numbers: Despite the fact the Panthers run a lot of vertical and intermediate routes, they only have seven completions of 20 yards or more, tied for the fewest in the league with the Cowboys and Titans. Newton's passer rating on throws that travel greater than 20 yards in the air is only 39.6. The Panthers do have three runs of 20 yards or more, tied for fifth most in the league and 18 rushes of 10 yards or more, tied for third most in the league. With all cumulative stats, it is important to note the Panthers have played only three games while most other NFL teams have played four.

• The offensive line was a major concern for the Panthers coming into the season, especially after season-ending injuries to left tackle Matt Kalil before the season started and to starting right tackle Daryl Williams in Week 1 against Dallas. Trai Turner, the team's starting right guard, missed the last two weeks with a concussion but is expected to return this week. Despite those issues, the Panthers offensive line has protected long enough to give Cam Newton time to get the ball down the field without getting pummeled. The interior and left side of the offensive line is where defenses have had the most success attacking. Newton has been sacked six times this year.

Inside the Numbers: Through the first three weeks of the season (the last time the Panthers played), Pro Football Focus had the Panthers offensive line rated as the 18th-best unit in the league. Right tackle and 2017 second round pick Taylor Moton has been the star as the highest graded right tackle in the league by Pro Football Focus through the first three weeks.

• The Panthers use their receivers in fairly distinct roles. Devin Funchess is Newton's go-to receiver and he usually lines up on the left side of the formation. He is a bigger receiver at 6-5 and 236 pounds who does his damage on passes in the 10 to 20-yard range on deep in cuts and out routes. He has a big catch radius but lacks the burner speed to get behind defenders. Janoris Jenkins usually handles receivers like this extremely well.

• Torrey Smith is the Panthers' deep threat. He hasn't connected on a big play yet, with his longest catch being just 26 yards, but he is the player the Panthers want to stretch the field with. He lines up on the right side of the formation. Jarius Wright is their slot receiver and operates mostly in the short to intermediate range between the numbers.

• DJ Moore, the 24th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, has only had 67 offensive snaps, and at least for now, has mostly been used on gadget plays. They will motion him through the backfield on fake end-arounds, or try to get it to him in space near the line of scrimmage. He only has two catches this year, but one went for 51 yards and a touchdown. He is still learning the nuances of playing wide receiver but is extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands in run-after-the-catch situations. You get the feeling his breakout game is coming soon.

• Ian Thomas has taken Greg Olsen's snaps at tight end. Thomas is a raw athlete with good speed, but the rookie fourth-round pick is still figuring things out.

• The read option is the basis of the Panthers running game and features unique action in the backfield, including players other than McCaffrey or CJ Anderson and Newton, to try to confuse the defense. Newton does an excellent job holding the ball in front of the running back for a long time before making the decision whether to hand off or keep, which puts pressure on a defense's discipline.