Report Cards from NFL's Saturday Wild Card Games

Wild Card Weekend is halfway to completion. Two games are in the books, two games are left to play and two teams are moving on to the divisional round.

Two teams are also heading home.

The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals played in a sloppy afternoon contest that saw both teams make a number of mistakes. However, offensive inefficiency doomed the Cardinals, who ultimately lost 27-16.

The night game featured the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, who continued their epic AFC North rivalry in playoff prime time. Baltimore walked away with a 30-17 victory.

Over the next few pages, we will take a look at how each game unfolded, with grades for both the winners and the losers of Saturday's matchups.

Arizona Cardinals

Mike McCarn/Associated Press

Pass Offense

Considering the Cardinals were forced to start third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley in this contest, things could have gone worse. However, they really couldn't have gone much worse than they actually did. 

"When you get experience in big games, and those were two big games, it affects how you play," head coach Bruce Arians said of Lindely prior to the game, per Dan Bickley of The Arizona Republic (h/t NFL.com's Chris Wesseling). "And I think he's more than ready now to play extremely well."

Lindley did not appear ready at all. He struggled with pocket awareness and downfield accuracy early, and he even had trouble handling the snap at times. He never threatened the Panthers defense deep and essentially put an end to the Cardinals' chances with a fourth-quarter interception on 1st-and-goal.

Lindley finished the game 15-of-27 for 101 yards with a score and two interceptions. He was sacked four times for minus-31 yards. 

Grade: F

Run Offense

With Lindley struggling, the Panthers were able to key in on the Cardinals rushing attack, which put Arizona in several 2nd- and 3rd-and-long situations. It was up to the offensive line to open holes and provide a spark in the ground game, but the line failed to deliver.

This only added to the degree of difficulty for the Cardinals passing offense. Kerwynn Williams led the team with a paltry 23 yards rushing. 

Grade: F

Pass Defense

As was often the case in the regular season, the Arizona defense (ranked 29th against the pass) allowed the opposition to gain yardage through the air. The unit also made some opportunistic plays against the pass, which was another frequent occurrence during the regular season.

The Cardinals did have problems covering tight ends and running backs, which is a reflection of linebacker play and scheming. Overall, though, the defense performed admirably against the pass, holding Panthers quarterback Cam Newton to fewer than 200 yards in the air and forcing him into two turnovers.

Grade: B-

Run Defense

The Cardinals had some trouble shutting down the Panthers rushing attack. Defending Newton while on the run proved to be particularly problematic, especially on third down.

As the game wore on and the Cardinals offense continued to struggle, there was visible fatigue on the part of the defense. The run defense began to fall apart late, though the fact that the defense spent more than 37 game minutes on the field may have had a little something to do with that. 

The Cardinals allowed 188 yards rushing in total.

Grade: D+

Special Teams

Poor punting was a major issue for the Cardinals, especially early. Punter Drew Butler averaged just 34.8 yards per punt for the game.

Aside from one big play, the punt return unit also struggled. The Cardinals offense frequently found itself starting deep in its own territory. 

A Ted Ginn fumble on a third-quarter kickoff hurt the Cardinals as well. The mistake occurred right after the Panthers took the lead, gave them 1st-and-goal and only added to the Carolina momentum. The Panthers found the end zone just a few plays later. One 48-yard return from Ginn keeps this unit from a failing grade.

Grade: D-

Coaching

It might be fair to blame Arians for even going with Lindley in this game, though it never appeared he had a lot of other options. Arians and offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin tried to mask Lindley's deficiencies with quick screens and early runs but achieved next to nothing. 

Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles called a respectable game, and his unit did enough to keep the Cardinals in the game. The defense has overachieved all season and did so again Saturday. Defensive coaching is not the reason Arizona lost. 

The fact that Arizona even managed to score 16 points in this game is impressive. It is hard to imagine better coaching having that much of an effect on the outcome. Offensive execution was beyond poor, and the Panthers simply made fewer mistakes. However, it is the coaching staff's job to have a team prepared, and the Arizona offense clearly was not.

Grade: D+

Final Analysis

This is a tough way for Arizona's season to come to an end, and it leaves a lot of questions about where this team could have gone with Carson Palmer or even Drew Stanton still healthy and under center.

The defense played well enough to win. While some more creative play-calling may have helped move the football, this was a game that was lost due to a wildly ineffective offense. As a team, the Cardinals netted just 78 yards of total offense, which is not enough to beat even the most mistake-prone playoff team.

Final Grade: F

Carolina Panthers

Mike McCarn/Associated Press

Pass Offense

There was some good and some bad from Newton on Saturday.

His biggest mistake was a poorly thrown pass late in the second quarter that was intercepted by Antonio Cromartie and returned 50 yards. Arizona scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive. Later in the quarter and in the red zone, he failed to adjust protection in the face of an obvious blitz. The result was a hurried throw, an incomplete pass and a field-goal attempt instead of a touchdown. 

The biggest pass play of the night was a screen to running back Fozzy Whittaker where Whittaker did the work to shake the defense and find the end zone. Newton struggled with accuracy and often appeared more effective while running. He finished the game 19-of-32 for 198 yards with two touchdowns, two turnovers and one sack.

Grade: C

Run Offense

The ground game was easily the most efficient part of the Carolina offense Saturday. Though the offense did not produce a lot of big plays on the ground until late, there was a grinding consistency to the rushing attack throughout the contest. 

Some of the biggest third-down runs came from Newton, who finished the game with 35 yards. However, Jonathan Stewart led the charge with 123 yards and a touchdown. 

Grade: A-

Pass Defense

The Panthers did an excellent job of disrupting the Arizona passing attack and making Lindley uncomfortable in the pocket. Though the Cardinals offense was given plenty of opportunities to put Arizona back in the game, the Panthers ended them early.

There was solid coverage from the secondary and consistent pressure from the defensive front, which added up to a very dominant overall effort. It is hard to imagine the Panthers pass defense playing much better than it did. Of course, it is also hard to imagine Lindley playing much worse. 

This was a fantastic performance, but not one that should be expected in the next round.

Grade: A

Run Defense

The Panthers defense was equally disruptive against the run, especially on early downs. The Cardinals never ran efficiently enough to find easy down-and-distance situations. 

As a team, the Cardinals netted just 27 yards rushing, which is about all you need to know about Carolina's performance.

Grade: A+

Special Teams

A muffed punt late in the first quarter set the Cardinals up with their first scoring opportunity of the day and changed momentum at a point when the Panthers were rolling. A missed Graham Gano field goal in the second added to Carolina's woes.

A botched snap on a fourth-quarter punt also gave the Cardinals some late life. Overall, this was a special teams disaster for both teams. Mistakes could have easily cost the Panthers the game against a more efficient opponent, and many of the mistakes came on special teams.

Grade: F

Coaching

This was one of the more defensively dominant postseason performances we have seen in recent NFL history, which is a credit to head coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. Arizona was held to 78 net offensive yards, and its 16 points came as a result of offensive and special teams miscues. 

If there is any significant criticism to be placed on the Panthers coaching staff, it is on the decision not to rely even more on the running game. The game likely could have been shortened considerably by taking the ball out of Newton's hands. 

With seven different players logging a carry, however, it is evident that the Panthers did try to pound the ball.

Grade: A

Final Analysis

Given the offensive ineptitude of the Cardinals, this game should never have been as close as it was. However, sloppy execution and untimely mistakes kept the game close and could have easily cost the Panthers against a different opponent or a better quarterback.

If the defense plays this way against its next opponent, the Panthers should have an opportunity to win. If, however, Carolina cannot limit the turnovers and special teams gaffes, the team will have a good chance of losing.

Final Grade: C+

Pittsburgh Steelers

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Pass Offense

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had perhaps his best season as a pro in 2014 and continued his strong play against the Ravens. There were even a couple of vintage escape acts that led to big downfield passing plays.

With the run game struggling, however, the Steelers faced a lot of coverage schemes geared toward defending the pass. Roethlisberger found Antonio Brown on one second-half deep strike, but he made an awful lot of throws into tight coverage.

A rushed and ill-advised throw in the fourth quarter resulted in Roethlisberger's first turnover. He threw another pick into the end zone later in the same quarter.

Backup Bruce Gradkowski briefly replaced Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter and went 2-of-3 for 22 yards. Roethlisberger finished 31-of-45 for 334 yards with a touchdown and the two picks.

Grade: C+

Run Offense

With starting running back Le'Veon Bell sidelined with a knee injury, the Steelers turned to recent free-agent acquisition Ben Tate as the starter. He and rookie Josh Harris did most of the heavy lifting on the ground.

Tate and Harris could not combine to produce the type of consistent rushing attack the Steelers had become accustomed to with Bell. Neither was especially effective, though it was evident that Tate, who was signed during the week, was playing with a limited package. He also had an early fumble.

Tate and Harris combined for just 44 yards.

Grade: D+

Pass Defense

The Steelers created plenty of pressure up front via creative play-calling and sheer relentlessness from the defensive front. However, the pressure yielded only a single sack. The secondary also had difficulty hanging with Baltimore pass-catchers and making the tackle after the catch.

Penalties in the secondary were another problem.

Cornerback Brice McCain nearly came down with a fourth-quarter interception that could have changed the course of the game, but he couldn't hang on. With the run defense doing its job the vast majority of the game, one or two big plays in the secondary could have altered the course of the game. Those plays never came.

Grade: D

Run Defense

Pittsburgh attacked the run aggressively, which helped prevent Justin Forsett (1,266 yards and eight scores in the regular season) from being an early factor. The defense also forced a fourth-quarter Forsett fumble that put the team right back into the game.

The defense had success against the run because it plugged the middle of the line and forced Baltimore backs to waste time and energy trying to get the edge or find an open lane.

Grade: A-

Special Teams

Unlike in the early contest, there were not a lot of special teams miscues in this game. Shaun Suisham was a perfect 3-of-3 on field goals, and the Steelers unit played a pretty efficient game.

A blocked punt late in the fourth quarter resulted in a safety and gave the Steelers some life after the two-minute warning.

Grade: A

Coaching

The Steelers ranked second in the NFL (301.6 yards per game) in passing offense during the regular season. Therefore, offensive coordinator Todd Haley had every reason to lean on Roethlisberger and the passing game. With Bell out and the run game inconsistent, Haley did exactly that.

The decision to go for it on 4th-and-short in Steelers territory in the third quarter was a gutsy call that ultimately paid off. However, it would have been nice to see some more short passes and screens to supplement the inconsistent run game. Haley repeatedly called for the deep throw in situations that just didn't work.

Roethlisberger's 45-yard strike to Brown right after the fourth-quarter fumble recovery was one of the times it did. The decision to go for two following the ensuing touchdown was another smart call.

Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau implemented a solid strategy of limiting the run game and forcing Flacco to beat the defense in the face of the pass rush. Flacco did, which is a reflection of the Steelers secondary more than it is the defensive scheming. 

Grade: B

Final Analysis

The Steelers came into this game with a good game plan and at times performed very well on the field. The Ravens, however, performed better.

It is easy to blame the loss on the absence of Bell, but the reality is that the Steelers still had plenty of chances to win. Pittsburgh has looked like one of the league's top teams at times this season, but it has also produced some serious clunkers.

These inconsistencies led to an uneven performance on Wild Card Weekend. Baltimore played more consistently, made fewer mistakes and walked away the winner.

Final Grade: C-

Baltimore Ravens

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Pass Offense

Quarterback Joe Flacco has had his ups and downs this season, but he played a mostly efficient game overall. He looked especially crisp on long and deep throws while showcasing his arm strength with frequency.

Pass protection, on the other hand, wasn't as crisp as the Ravens probably would have liked. Flacco received a lot of pressure and was driven off point on several occasions. One third-quarter fumble created a 13-yard loss and put a halt to a very promising drive.

While the Steelers did field a good pass rush, Flacco also flashed some Roethlisberger-like mobility, extending a few plays and finding open targets downfield. He finished the game 18-of-29 for 259 yards and two touchdowns. He was helped immensely by wideout Steve Smith and tight end Owen Daniels, who combined for 171 yards and a score.

Grade: A

Run Offense

Baltimore did not get a lot of production out of the running game, which put a lot of pressure on the shoulders of Flacco and his receivers. 

Forsett was well-contained for most of the game and was forced into the fourth-quarter fumble. Backup Bernard Pierce did find the end zone, but overall, the ground game was not especially efficient.

This seemed due to poor run blocking by Baltimore and solid scheming and ball pursuit by the Steelers. The Ravens finished with just 49 net rushing yards

Grade: D

Pass Defense

Trying to contain Roethlisberger is never an easy task, because even with a terrific pass rush, he tends to find time to strike downfield. This was often the case Saturday, especially in the first half. There were also times when the Baltimore pass rush simply disappeared and Roethlisberger had plenty of time to survey the field without scrambling.

However, the coverage downfield was usually good, and Roethlisberger managed to connect on the big-hitter only a couple of times during the game. He also seemed confused by some of the blitz packages employed by defensive coordinator Dean Pees.

One such play resulted in a critical fourth-quarter interception that wound up between the legs of Terrell Suggs. The team finished with five sacks for minus-37 yards.

Grade: B

Run Defense

The Ravens didn't have to deal with Bell on the ground, which gave the team a clear advantage in run defense. Most of the coverage calls were made to prevent passes from hitting home downfield, while Haloti Ngata and the big boys up front handled the rushing attack.

The Steelers finished with just 68 net rushing yards.

Grade: B+

Special Teams

The Ravens got caught with 12 men on the field just before the Steelers attempted a second-quarter field goal, which is a silly penalty any way you look at it. Fortunately, Pittsburgh was still forced to settle for a field goal a few plays later. 

Other than that early mistake, however, the Ravens performed extremely well on special teams. Kicker Justin Tucker connected on all three of his field-goal attempts, including a 52-yarder that gave Baltimore an eight-point fourth-quarter lead.

A bad snap that resulted in a safety takes away from an otherwise solid special teams night for the Ravens.

Grade: C-

Coaching

Head coach John Harbaugh had his team prepared for this game, and his coordinators called some of their best plays at the most opportune times. 

Like Pittsburgh, the Ravens made the gutsy decision to go for it on 4th-and-short. Their attempt came in the fourth quarter just past midfield. While the play was successful, Forsett fumbled on the next play and the Steelers took over anyway. 

However, the turn of events ultimately mattered little. Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak called some wonderful pass plays, especially off play-action, which helped cover for the struggling ground game.

Pees called a masterful game, using a variety of coverages and timely blitz packages to confuse Roethlisberger rather than trying to overpower him with a consistent pass rush. 

Grade: A

Final Analysis

The Ravens made a couple of mistakes, but they definitely made enough plays to control what was one of the hottest teams in the AFC. The players on the field clearly outperformed their competition and, in doing so, showed exactly what this team is capable of.

This is not a Ravens team that the New England Patriots will look forward to playing next weekend in the divisional round.

Final Grade: A