WHODATINCA

Offensive line
The line has given up eight sacks in the past four games, which, believe it or not, is an improvement over the first four games, when they gave up 11. But the biggest reason for the reduction is that quarterback Cam Newton finally is able to run and escape pressure. Between injuries and an overall lack of talent, it’s hard to see the offense being productive with this group.
Grade: F

Benjamin
Wide receivers
Rookie Kelvin Benjamin continues to make spectacular plays like the 51-yard catch against Seattle. He also continues to miss routine plays like the dropped touchdown in the back of the end zone that would have been huge in the first half Sunday. Overall, though, this group has performed well enough for the team to win.
Grade: B

Tight ends
Greg Olsen was having a career season until Seattle held him to one catch for 16 yards on Sunday. But for the second quarter of the season he had 21 catches for 255 yards and three touchdowns. He definitely has played winning football.
Grade: B-plus

Running backs
It’s hard to grade this group since Panthers all-time leading rusher DeAngelo Williams (ankle) didn’t play during this quarter and Jonathan Stewart (knee) only played in two games. Their replacements did little to impress, production-wise, although you could blame the offensive line and lack of running room for some of that.
Grade: F

Quarterback
Sunday’s game was the third time in four games that Newton completed less than 55 percent of his passes. He had four interceptions during the second quarter after throwing none in the first quarter. He returned as a running threat in a tie against Cincinnati, which kept this quarter from being a complete disaster. But he still hasn’t been able to carry the team in key situations as Seattle’s Russell Wilson did on the final drive of Sunday’s 13-9 loss.
Grade: D

Defensive line
Opponents averaged 129.8 yards rushing over the last four games, which still is way too much to consistently win. Until Sunday, this group showed a lack of discipline and gap control, continuing to allow big plays in the running game. They’re still not getting consistent pressure on the quarterback, either.
Grade: D-plus

Kuechly
Linebackers
Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis are racking up a lot of tackles, but even they made crucial mistakes during the second quarter. Kuechly had an offside penalty early against Green Bay that was critical and Davis missed a tackle against Cincinnati that turned into an 89-yard touchdown run. But these two still are playing at a high level.
Grade: B-minus

Secondary
This group gave up eight touchdown passes over the last four games and allowed short plays to turn into big ones. The last four opponents have completed 74 percent of their passes against this group, which appears to lack overall speed. They struggled so much that veteran safety Charles Godfrey was released.
Grade: D

Special teams
If I graded simply on placekicker Graham Gano and punter Brad Nortman, this group would do well. But when you factor in the 97-yard kickoff return allowed at Cincinnati, dropped punts and other coverage issues, this group comes out average.
Grade: C-minus

Coaching
The lack of discipline in the 38-17 loss at Green Bay alone falls back on this group. I know injuries across the board figure into overall performance, but when you see the same mistakes being made over and over, it ultimately has to go back to preparation and personnel decisions made during the offseason.
Grade: D

Overall
The Panthers may be percentage point ahead of the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South, but major issues were uncovered during the last four games.
Grade: D

Article: Carolina Panthers' second-quarter report card not very good - ESPN

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Shutdown defense in 2017 = Championship!