Carolina Panthers vs. Minnesota Vikings: Full Report Card Grades for Carolina
The Carolina Panthers really needed a win today. Unfortunately, the much sought-after victory continued to be as elusive as the team's offensive line protection. The Panthers fell to the Minnesota Vikings, 31-13, and found another way to not only get behind early, but lose as well. For a team in the hunt for a division title, this Carolina team does not look the part and has been a huge disappointment.
The letdown in special teams attributed to nearly half of the Vikings' points and basically put Carolina away early. Teddy Bridgewater outperformed Cam Newton who has not looked like the quarterback of old.
Carolina's running game was the only highlight of the day as Jonathan Stewart rushed for a season-high 85 yards. Outside of that, there weren't too many positives to take away from Sunday's game.
The following game grades will have the scoop on what went well and badly for the Carolina Panthers in Week 13.
Quarterback
1 of 10
He may be on the field and doing some good things, but there is no denying there is something wrong with Cam Newton. He was very inaccurate on Sunday, as he completed just 51 percent of his passes. He threw for 194 yards, and his only highlight was the touchdown pass to Philly Brown.
Newton threw another interception making it his eighth straight game with a pick.
While it would be easy to point fingers at the line for not blocking for him better, Newton had his share of questionable moments. Throwing to a checkdown receiver on third and long was not a smart move on his part and it showed just how little time he had to find his receivers.
He did rush for 49 yards, but running the ball this year has not been the same as it was in years past. It seemed questionable to have him convert on short-yardage opportunities with Mike Tolbert back, but that is not so much on Newton as it is the coaching.
A team can only go as far as its quarterback will lead them, and that seems to be nowhere for Carolina in 2014.
Grade: D+
Running Backs
2 of 10
Jonathan Stewart enjoyed his best game of the season as he rushed for 85 yards. That was his biggest total yet this season. The contributions of DeAngelo Williams and Fozzy Whittaker were decent as the running backs combined for 122 yards on 20 carries. It would have been better had one of them found the end zone.
The much-anticipated return of fullback Mike Tolbert turned out to be a major disappointment.
He only ran the ball for five yards and seemed to be a non-factor on short-yardage situations. Much of that can be attributed to not having his number called, but the fact that he was not utilized more often within the offense is troubling.
Still, this unit made the most out of day that saw the offensive line get manhandled up front and was perhaps the lone bright spot of the day for the Panthers.
Grade: B-
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
3 of 10
Philly Brown has looked to be a good fit in Carolina's offense. He caught his second career touchdown against Minnesota and more than justified the release of Jason Avant. However, he would only have two catches for 34 yards because Cam Newton spent much of the day looking for either Kelvin Benjamin or Greg Olsen.
Both had underwhelming performances with five catches apiece. Olsen had 59 yards receiving, and Benjamin tallied 56 yards.
Jerricho Cotchery only had two catches over five targets, and it seemed that many of the throws to him were either forced or off target.
While some of the blame should fall on Cam Newton, his receivers are tasked with stepping up and making big catches. Since the latter was not the case (save for Brown's touchdown reception), the unit as a whole gets a middle-of-the-order grade.
Grade: C+
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Offensive Line
4 of 10
When the offensive line collapses on the left side on a running play and then gives up a sack on the following play, it's a sign that changes need to be made. Both of these plays took place on the Panthers' opening drive.
Byron Bell is not the answer at left tackle, and it would appear that the interior is not capable of stopping the opposing pass rush. Granted, the line did some good things in opening up running lanes. However, the lack of protection for Cam Newton and the constant Vikings blitz was too much to overcome.
Newton would be sacked a total of four times, and the lack of time to throw did not help the offense.
What changes the Panthers will make up front remain to be seen, but what is known is that the current unit is not the answer.
Grade: D
Defensive Line
5 of 10
Carolina may have given up 31 points, but 14 of them were on special teams. Defensively, the Panthers played well, and the guys up front were able to keep the Minnesota running game in check and flush Teddy Bridgewater from the pocket.
One such play resulted in Charles Johnson sacking Bridgewater and forcing a fumble. Had the Panthers recovered it, the momentum may have shifted more in Carolina's favor. Johnson would finish with four tackles on the day with Dwan Edwards close behind with three. One of Edwards' tackles was for a loss.
Considering there were key personnel missing, namely Star Lotulelei, the defensive line played good enough to keep the pressure on the Vikings offense and to an extent, did their part to keep Carolina in the game.
Grade: B-
Linebackers
6 of 10
Luke Kuechly turned in an impressive performance as he tallied nine tackles and two sacks. Thomas Davis finished second with seven tackles, one for a loss. Kuechly proved why he is leading middle linebackers in Pro Bowl voting as he made Teddy Bridgewater feel his presence throughout the game. He not only sacked him twice, but he was able to hit him two more times.
A.J. Klein, Colin Jones and Ben Jacobs combined for four tackles.
The only knock against the linebackers was perhaps the lack of coverage on Kyle Rudolph early in the game. An argument can be made that the secondary should have covered him, but the breakdown was there, and the Vikings took advantage of it.
Regardless, the linebacker unit played well and were able to get pressure in the passing game. Had the Panthers come away with the win, the final grade would be different.
Grade: B
Secondary
7 of 10
As noted in the previous slide, the breakdown in coverage leading the to the first touchdown for the Vikings could be attributed to the secondary. The second passing touchdown—from Teddy Bridgewater to Greg Jennings—was definitely on the defensive backfield.
Essentially, the corners and safeties allowed the young quarterback to effectively move the ball through the air, and it turned out to be a big day for Minnesota.
Josh Norman didn't do his team any favors by drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the Panthers fell into a deep hole. Yet, this has been the secondary fans have become accustomed to this season.
Although Norman, Bene Benwikere and Thomas DeCoud each had four tackles, the Carolina secondary could not force a turnover. In fact, there was only one defended pass the entire game, which came from Norman.
Much like the offensive line, this unit will need to undergo drastic change if it's to improve.
Grade: C+
Special Teams
8 of 10
There is no point in discussing the kicking or return elements of the Carolina Panthers for Week 13. Graham Gano did his job, and that much should suffice. There were no major miscues or anything of note worthy of mention in the return game either.
That only leaves the punting game.
Brad Nortman had a long day. His first punt was short and helped set up Minnesota's first score. His next two attempts, however, he'd rather forget.
It wasn't so much on Nortman as it was the failure of the guys up front to block better. The Vikings punt return team was able to penetrate the Carolina line and block Nortman's punt—twice. Adding salt to the wound occurred afterward.
The Vikings were able to score on both blocks. Adam Thielen took the first block for a touchdown, and Everson Griffen took the second one back. Both would give the Vikings a huge advantage in an otherwise one-sided game.
Ultimately, this proved to be the difference-maker, as the Panthers were out of this one early.
Grade: F
Coaching
9 of 10
Mike Tolbert was not used as much as many would have expected. Cam Newton was throwing short passes when a big gain was needed. Running the ball in passing situations. Two blocked punts.
What was Ron Rivera and his staff thinking in this one?
While Riverboat Ron made an appearance, it was not enough as the Panthers did not have an answer for the Vikings. Mike Shula appeared to be a bit conservative in his play-calling, especially when Carolina was trying to run the ball late in the game down by 18 points.
Something has to change in the coaching philosophy because the current mindset is not working.
Grade: D+
Final Grade
10 of 10
Quarterback: D+
Running Backs: B-
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends: C+
Offensive Line: D
Defensive Line: B-
Linebackers: B
Secondary: C+
Special Teams: F
Coaching: D+
Final Grade: D
It's amazing how big a difference special teams can have in a game's outcome. The silver lining for Carolina fans is the Panthers are still in the division race. However, a loss next week should end any hopes left clinging.
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