Panthers look to carry new momentum forward

Wide receiver Steve Smith believes Sunday's win gives the players in the locker room some needed positive energy.

"It was big for us," Smith said. "Unfortunately the Colts, what they are going through, teams go through it. You can't go out there with feelings, you have to go out there and do your job. People pretty much say you're expected or you're supposed to beat them, and they're not this, they're not that. Every team goes through that, and unfortunately they are going through it. To be honest, I don't really care. That's their problem."

Notes: Rivera reported serious no injuries from Sunday's game, although tight end Greg Olsen did tweak his ankle after an inadvertent collision with wide receiver Seyi Ajirotutu during pre-game warmups. ... The Panthers had won 11 of 14 from the Bucs prior to getting swept last season. ... Rivera gave his players most of the day off Monday as a reward for Sunday's win.