San Francisco 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers: Full Report Card Grades for 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers put up a fight, but it wasn't good enough in the end as the Carolina Panthers pulled away late in the second half and won 46-27, their first win of the season.
An expected defensive struggle heading by NFL analysts, the game quickly turned into a Wild West shootout as both teams combined for 46 second-half points.
Quarterback
1 of 9
Last week I gave 49ers QB Blaine Gabbert a B- grade for his effort against the Los Angeles Rams. A player I consider a game manager, Gabbert did nothing to hurt the team in Week 1, completing 22 of 35 passes (63 percent) for 170 yards and one touchdown.
The same can't be said for Week 2, as Gabbert grades out horribly this time around. From forcing passes into double-coverage to being inaccurate on his deeper throws down the seams/corners, Gabbert was inconsistent vs. the Carolina Panthers, and it showed.
The stats here are a bit inflated because Gabbert finished 17-of-36 for 243 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
That's not a great stat line and while the stats don't lie, the 75-yard touchdown he threw to Vance McDonald had more to do with WR Quinton Patton's downfield block on Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly than Gabbert making a nice play down the field.
Grade: D
Running Back
2 of 9
The 49ers' smash-mouth running game was non-existent. Neither RB Carlos Hyde nor backup RB Shaun Draughn were able to generate any type of running presence against DT Star Lotulelei and DT Kawaan Short. As a result, the offense quickly became one-dimensional and would prove to be a huge key in the Panthers win.
49ers running backs collectively finished the game with 26 rushes for a measly 65 yards. Simply put, awful.
Grade: D
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
3 of 9
The 49ers receivers didn't catch many balls against the Panthers, but the ones they did catch were splash plays. From TE Vance McDonald's 75-yard TD run along the sideline to WR Torrey Smith running a perfect go-route from the 28-yard line, the receivers as a unit reached the end zone twice before it was all said and done.
However, it wasn't enough. McDonald had another key drop against the Panthers late in the fourth quarter. Reminiscent of the drop he had against MLB Luke Kuechly (Candlestick) back in 2013, McDonald's receiving game continues to be up-and-down despite the 75-yard touchdown.
But the play of the day has to go to WR Quinton Patton. You can't coach heart, and Patton showed plenty of it on McDonald's 75-yard touchdown run as he threw a key block on Kuechly to spring the Rice product free for the score.
This is nothing new for Patton. He's always been known for his fight as a downfield blocker dating back to his days at Coffeyville Community College—one of the reasons why general manager Trent Baalke drafted him after his stellar Senior Bowl week.
With that being said, the praise stops there for this offensive unit. Not much to write home about other than those two touchdown scores.
Grade: C
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Offensive Line
4 of 9
The 49ers offensive line played well in their week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, grading out with a solid A.
But this week, they met their match. Being unable to generate any kind of push or running lanes in the second level greatly hampered the 49ers offense. The combo blocks were not as promising and the running backs were left with no choice but to kick runs outside.
As a unit, the offensive line generated only 65 rushing yards while Gabbert was sacked twice. In a pass-happy NFL you need to give your quarterback a clean pocket if you hope to win on Sundays. That didn't happen.
Grade: D
Defensive Line
5 of 9
Horrible. That's how I would describe the line play of the 49ers defensive line. Anytime a team gives up almost five yards a pop (4.8 average) on the ground is embarrassing. To make matters worse, 100 of those yards came by backup RB Fozzy Whittaker on only 16 carries (6.3 average).
As for the pass rush...What pass rush? Cam Newton had all day to throw the ball and go through his progressions while the team recorded zero sacks from the defensive ends.
In games like these it's important to have DE Arik Armstead and DE DeForest Buckner show up in some capacity, whether it's the pass rush or run support. Neither made a significant impact on Sunday.
Grade: D
Linebacker
6 of 9
49ers ILB NaVorro Bowman continues to show why he's an All-Pro, but someone else needs to step up. Second-year OLB Eli Harold may be that guy as he quietly finished the game with two tackles, a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery.
Grade: C
Secondary
7 of 9
The 49ers secondary did its best, but the NFL is a game of matchups and they met their match. From WR Kelvin Benjamin consistently outmuscling DB Jimmie Ward (despite being in good coverage) to TE Greg Olsen continuing to get open off SS Antoine Bethea, the 49ers secondary had a rough day today.
The unit allowed 24 catches for 353 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Grade: F
Special Teams
8 of 9
The 49ers special-teams coverage unit gave up a 59-yard kick return to former 49ers WR Ted Ginn Jr., but other than that it played a clean game.
49ers K Phil Dawson connected on all of his field-goal attempts while P Bradley Pinion outdueled former 49ers P Andy Lee in the punting department, converting four of his seven punts inside the 20-yard line.
Grade: B
Coaching
9 of 9
49ers HC Chip Kelly did what he could with the talent he had. He put up a fight. Had a nice game plan on both sides of the ball but unfortunately couldn't pull out the victory.
Players play and coaches coach. Forever Faithful are extremely optimistic heading into Seattle, as the game was a lot closer than the final score indicates.
Grade: B
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