Game Grades - Panthers at 49ers

[pstall]

C for the offense is a fair grade. Didn't do anything great. Didn't do anything real bad. Kinda meh.

 

Those drops were huge because of when and where they happened.

[cardiackat88.]

In one of the more memorable games in recent history the Panthers were victorious and walked away a solid playoff contender. It just doesn't get much better than that. On with the grades...

Offense:

Cam Newton completed only half of his passes, had no touchdowns, and threw an interception. That statement alone sounds much worse than he actually was thanks to multiple drops by Smith and Lafell on third downs. Jonathan Stewart fumbled the ball late in the 4th quarter, but unlike the Seahawks game, the Panthers were able to recover it. Deangelo Williams' touchdown scamper was the highlight of the entire day for the offense and ultimately won the game for the Panthers. This was not an impressive day for the Panthers offense, especially when it comes to player execution. Still, they did enough in the end to win the game, if only by a single point. That counts for something.

Offensive Grade: C+

Defense:

To say the Panthers defense did an excellent job Sunday would be a gross understatement. Together they put together a performance that will frighten Offensive Coordinators for the rest of the season. Frank Gore was held to under 100 yards and Colin Kaepernick looked pedestrian at best, completing only half of his passes and throwing a game losing interception. Credit Luke Kuechly for keeping Kaepernick confused on coverages the entire game. His adjustment calls during the game were a big contributor to the win.

Defensive Grade: A+

Special Teams:

Graham Gano missed his first field goal of the season (unlucky number 13) and once again the special teams unit coughed up a fumble. However, Gano made his second field goal that put the Panthers up by one and Ginn had a key return late in the game. Overall, just like the offense, enough to win. (Thanks defense!)

Special Teams Grade: C

Coaching:

I am starting to happily eat my harsh words for Mike Shula earlier this season. Both Rivera and Shula are coaching well. The poor offensive performance was mainly due to player execution. If the Panthers receivers caught those third down passes, this game would have been put away earlier.

The Panthers coaches marched into Candlestick Park and out-coached the NFC Superbowl representative from last year. That is the bottom line.

Coaching Grade: A

I cannot agree with the special teams grade.

We partially blocked a kick, the rest of that play was just crazy, and you cannot blame anyone on the field, Florence and pretty much everyone on the field had no idea were the ball was.

Ginn had 80+ return yards.

We stopped a punt return dead in its tracks, 0 yards.

Downed a punt at the one, and stopped a kick return at the five.

Gano missed a kick, but that is the only one all year, plus it didn't cost us the game.

[Zod]

Gano missed a kick, but that is the only one all year

 

Its not an all year grade.

 

Gano made 50% of his field goals this game.

[cardiackat88.]

Its not an all year grade.

Gano made 50% of his field goals this game.

Still, this is the Panthers special teams unit playing very solid, something in past seasons that was unheard of.

In comparison, this would be like Shaq having a 90% free throw average in a season.

[h0llywood]

Carolina Incognitos = Bullies of 2013

[tailg8or]

Special Teams deserves a B+. The fumble was a freak accident result of a blocked punt. Ginn had great returns, and our guys didn't allow poo on coverage.

 

That 'freak accident' has occurred more times this year than it should in 5 years.  Unbelievable that we keep making contact with balls on punts.  Luckily our D bailed us out and it didn't affect the outcome.  This was the first time I noticed us dropping somebody back on punts to be in front of Ginn and intercept the gunner.  I think it was Lester.  All he needs is a little time and space.

[RoaringRiot]

That 'freak accident' has occurred more times this year than it should in 5 years. Unbelievable that we keep making contact with balls on punts. Luckily our D bailed us out and it didn't affect the outcome. This was the first time I noticed us dropping somebody back on punts to be in front of Ginn and intercept the gunner. I think it was Lester. All he needs is a little time and space.

Pretty sure this is our first time blocking a punt all season.

[RoaringRiot]

I also wanted to mention that I thought for the most part we tackled really well yesterday. Obviously Luke had a few, but I specifically remember Captain having a huge tackle in the 4th. Love seeing that

[mav1234]

Its not an all year grade.

 

Gano made 50% of his field goals this game.

 

 

48 yards isn't a gimme... and making a 53 yarder later in the game, plus his touchbacks, IMO he more than redeemed himself.

 

I think special teams grade is a little low.

[frash.exe]

Refs - F

[Raskle]

Well, all I have to say is, yesterday's game was a street brawl between Colin and Cam. They both brought their teams along and the game was everything it was billed to be. The media stated that the defense was going to win it for either team because they were pretty well matched on the offensive side. They were, for the most part, right.

 

But and I do mean BUT...the Panthers Receivers could have done way more damage in the scoring department if they had caught some of those balls Cam threw.

 

I remembered watching a game, don't remember what team, but the Announcer was livid because the Receivers of that team kept dropping perfectly passed balls. The Announcer's suggestion was, maybe it's time for those Receivers to put some velcro on their gloves if they are having a hard time catching and holding onto the ball. I will say the same thing to the Panthers Offense. They need to do whatever it takes to help Cam. The team is on a roll. Let's not mess up a good game because issues with catching balls. That is what practice is for.  I am not one of those fans who expect perfection and will go beating up on players because I know how fickled the game of football can be but when the team is in position to capitalize and they are not because of dropped balls, that energizes the other team when they see that. As stated many time Football is both physical and psychological.

 

Maybe it's time to put some sticky or velcro on those gloves. Do whatever it takes to catch those perfectly thrown balls because you know not every single ball will be perfect.

 

Anyway, after watching yesterdays game. I will give the Offense a B. They redeemed themselves despite the dropped balls, Cam Int, and the O-line breaking down to quickly around Cam.

 

The Defense gets a solid A+. They showed up and showed out!!! Nuff said.

 

The Secondary did make two costly mistakes, so I will give them a Solid c+

 

And whoever that guy was on the Panthers defense that caught Colin's INT, maybe the Offensive coach need to use him to show the 

v=2ZtSA9lGfk8

 

??

[Cpt slay a ho]

why did stewart get the majority of the carries?

[Peppers90 NC]

C+ is being to nice to the offense.  Sure they had some nice drives but for the most part they where terrible.  D-

uhmmmm, no.  far from an A but did enough on this day.  Cam had one terrible pass that was picked off, but all-in-all, we moved the chains and ate clock.  Too many drops again this week, but picking up that 3 and 7 with 2:12 on that out route to Smith is a crunch time play.

[Peppers90 NC]

Still, this is the Panthers special teams unit playing very solid, something in past seasons that was unheard of.

In comparison, this would be like Shaq having a 90% free throw average in a season.

it's obvious the broadcasters jinxed us, the 12/12 was on the screen then they had to go and say it.  And the fumble, was an example of a fluke play where the rare times a blocked punt can come back and haunt you.