Game Grades – Panthers at Saints
December 28, 2008
I am not sure how to take this game.
Yes, the Panthers won. But they did not appear to have the killer instinct that a Superbowl team needs to have.
Offense:
Deangelo Williams is officially the best running back the Panthers have ever had, and likely will have for many many years. John Fox reportedly has said he is not just the most improved player on the Panthers, but in the entire NFL. That is a hard statement to argue against.
Steve Smith continues to the player that saves the Panthers from an untimely demise. His fourth quarter acrobatic catch between two defenders won’t be talked about much in the media, but was the most important play of the game.
Offensive Grade: B
Defense:
And now we come to the most troubling aspect of the Panthers going in to the offseason. I am confident the Panthers can score enough points to win a game, I am not very confident they can keep the opposition from doing the same. The Panthers did blitz frequently, but rarely applied any more pressure than usual. The play of Ken Lucas is turning out to be a liability going forward.
Lets hope 2 weeks is enough time for them to get their heads on straight.
Defensive Grade: D
Special Teams:
Kasay made the kick that counted most, but missing kicks is never a good thing. Mark Jones made the return game completely forgettable.
Special Teams Grade: C
