Maturing Newton looks to set record vs. Bucs

"I have to change it, and I'm trying to change it. But those guys constantly stay in my ear, saying, 'You've got to be that same leader from the first quarter to the last quarter.' And with them saying that, just that little statement that was said right before the game, it made me mindful it can be somewhat of a detrimental to the team," Newton said. "If you're mad. If you're ticked off. Not saying that everybody else is not feeling the same way you (are). But at the quarterback position, you have to stay even keel."

It seemed to work as the Panthers took a 21-0 lead against the Texans and held on to win.

Gross said he likes Newton better now as a quarterback than he did when he opened the season throwing for 854 yards in his first two games. He said that's because Newton is learning he doesn't have to do everything himself.

"I agree with that 100 percent," Newton said of Gross' comments.

Newton said he's trying to learn to have more fun like veteran teammates Jeremy Shockey, Steve Smith and Gross.

"They bring the fun to the game," Newton said. "And I kind of got sidetracked from that a couple times this year," Newton said. "But like I said, you've got to stay even-keeled, especially at the quarterback position."