Rating: (0 votes - average)

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

|Mitch|

At the end of the day; it's still a division game... And Carolina always plays us tough...

WHODATINCA

So, bottomline here: If the pass rush fails we will have problems with their receivers. Good news though, pass rush could be easier because of two names: David Foucault and Andrew Norwell. These guys should allow Cam to be flushed from the pocket. Only problem is -- that's when he is dangerous. Also, with DeAngelo back, the run game could return in earnest. Game plan?

The analysis is of their O because our D has been the problem ( for the most part ) this year.

I haven't been watching the Panthers play this year. What sticks out to me is, given this report card, how have they won 3 games?

Shutdown defense in 2017 = Championship!

WHODATINCA

Yeah, total agreement Mitch. The Panthers are to be taken seriously -- as, of course, is any road game.

SaintnDE

stats out the window when we play divisional games. they hardly ever hold true.

Foot Stomper

Now living in NC I am forced to watch the Panthers (or Redskins) each week.

They aren't very good. In fact they are pretty terrible. If we play down to their level like Seattle we could lose a FG game. If we come out and play like we can we then then beat them up like the Steelers, Greenbay, Ravens did.

Benjamin is good as I thought he would be, Olsen is good and Newton is good. Thats about all they have on Offense. Get to Newton early and hit him he folds his tent by the 3rd qtr. He gets credit for being tough but I have seen it every year now. If you hit him early and make him pick himself up off the ground he gets tired and quits. With the OLine they have we have no excuse but to get to him early and hit him. You can't just pressure him you have to hit him. Let him run if he wants to but HIT him and get him on the ground. Our DLine should be licking their chops. If we play down to their level I will be very disappointed.

Our Offense will be able to run and throw on them at will. If we get impatient, drop passes, bat the ball up they will INT it. We just need to execute like we did Sunday night and we SHOULD be up a couple of scores by half and pull away in the 3rd. Thats also when you see Newton quit.

Danno

My only concerns are that this is a Thursday night road game, and its right after an emotional Sunday Night victory.

History has shown the road team on Thursday nights play flat. If this game was on Sunday I'd be certain of a 2 score victory. But with this schedule screwin that old Roger gave us its a freaking toss-up.

Oh, and guess what else, Cincinnati and Baltimore both have their bye weeks before they play us.

Thanks a pantload Roger.

saintsfan1976

:conspiracy moment:

Heard somewhere we are the only team to play it's first 4 of 6 games on the road this year and the only team to play Sunday night, then Thursday night away.

saintsfan1976

Carolina is beatable.

Agree that the short week road team after a big win is susceptible to letdowns but something tells me.....








.

Utah_Saint

This is the third year in a row the Saints have had to play a Thursday night game on the road.

Tough scheduling.