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F QUARTERBACK: Cam Newton had the worst game of his career, at least as far as passer rating. His 40.6 rating was lower than his 44.6 mark last season at Atlanta. Newton completed 16 of 30 passes for 242 yards, but he was intercepted three times. Newton faced heavy pressure, but he was bad even when he had time.
C RUNNING BACKS: Like the Tampa Bay game, it’s tough to be too critical of this group – since they basically were bystanders after the Panthers fell in a big, early hole. The zone read looked promising early, even without the injured Jonathan Stewart.
C RECEIVERS: Tight end Greg Olsen was the only receiver who got open consistently. Olsen had a team-high seven catches for 98 yards. Brandon LaFell had only one catch for 27 yards days after his breakout game vs. New Orleans.
D OFFENSIVE LINE: The Giants’ talented defensive front had its way with this group. Left tackle Jordan Gross gave up a sack. The only highlight: right tackle Garry Williams preventing an interception by Jason Pierre-Paul.
D DEFENSIVE LINE: Eli Manning had all day in the pocket, and he took advantage of it. Frank Alexander had the only sack. Charles Johnson had a pressure. And that was about it.
F LINEBACKERS: Jon Beason missed a tackle on Andre Brown’s 31-yard run – the biggest play on New York’s opening touchdown drive. Beason also didn’t get much of a jump on a pass that eluded him for a big gain to Ramses Barden. Thomas Davis, nursing a hamstring injury, was missed.
F DEFENSIVE BACKS: Manning picked on rookie cornerback Josh Norman early and often. Norman made Barden look like a Pro Bowl receiver, but the coaches stuck with him. Chris Gamble gave up some completions, too.
F SPECIAL TEAMS: Not sure why Joe Adams still is returning kicks. The Panthers drafted him as a punt returner, yet they keep using him on kicks despite little to show for his work. Adams lost two second-half fumbles (one on a punt) and averaged 20.4 yards per kick return.
F COACHING: Big game, coming off a big win against the Saints. And a big disappointment. Ron Rivera said the Panthers were out-coached and out-played. But Rivera said he won’t hit a panic button. It will get no easier Sept. 30 at Atlanta.
Joseph Person
