Game Grades – This Won’t Be Pretty

Yes, Panthers fans, this was an awful game.

No, Panthers Fans, the Panthers are not done for the season.

Yes, Panthers Fans, the Panthers are still playoff bound.

On with the grades….

Offense:

What happens in the NFL when you rush for an average of less than two yards per carry? Yes, thats right. You lose. This above all others is the most concerning portion of today’s loss. Is Ryan Kalil so crucial to the running game that without him the interior of the offensive line implodes? While Kalil is no doubt crucial to the running game, I doubt his absence caused such an inept performance today.

Delhomme struggled and looked his worst in two seasons. The biggest reason? Lack of a running game. Jake Delhomme is not a QB that can take over a game. He is a solid starter that is good enough to win games as long as a running game is at least recognizable on the field.

All in all, a terrible performance. If today’s offense was cheese, it would be limburger.

Offensive Grade: F-

Defense:

Who were these 11 guys on the field today? They wore the same jerseys , but they were obviously not the same squad we have been cheering for all season long. They were uninspired. They were sloppy.

They were beaten.

Badly.

Offensive Grade: F

Special Teams:

The blocked punts finally came back to bite the Panthers in a big way. Rosario’s brain fart not only cost the Panthers on the play, but set the tone for the entire game. Danny Crossman, is this how you prepare your players? At some point, and I may be wrong here, but at some point wouldn’t John Fox need to look at how poorly special teams have performed over the past 4 seasons or so and rethink the coaching position? Nah, thats just crazy talk.

Special Teams Grade: F-