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A QUARTERBACK: Cam Newton shined in the spotlight, throwing for two touchdowns and running for two more. Newton kept several plays alive with scrambles, and did a good job protecting the ball.
C RUNNING BACKS: Jonathan Stewart ran hard before leaving with an ankle injury. Fullback Mike Tolbert picked up a key first down in the fourth quarter by gaining 13 yards on a shovel pass.
B RECEIVERS: With the Eagles' big corners clamping down on Steve Smith, wideouts Brandon LaFell and Louis Murphy both made big plays. LaFell had a 43-yard touchdown catch, and Murphy pulled down a 55-yard pass to set up a touchdown.
B- OFFENSIVE LINE: Garry Williams started at right guard and played OK. The line gave up two sacks and helped the Panthers salt away the win on the final drive.
B- DEFENSIVE LINE: DE Greg Hardy was all over the field early in the game. DT Sione Fua, who came in for an injured Ron Edwards, forced a fumble. But rookie DE Nate Chandler got caught inside on Bryce Brown's 65-yard run.
B- LINEBACKERS: Luke Kuechly again led the Panthers in tackles. Kuechly and Thomas Davis both recovered fumbles.
C DEFENSIVE BACKS: Safety Haruki Nakamura was called for pass interference, a 51-yard penalty that set up an Eagles touchdown. Corners Captain Munnerlyn and Josh Norman did a nice job keeping receivers in front of them, although it helped when DeSean Jackson left with an injury.
D SPECIAL TEAMS: New kicker Graham Gano missed an extra point. Rookie Brad Nortman averaged 31 yards a punt. But the kickoff team forced a key fumble in the fourth quarter, with Sherrod Martin forcing it and Gary Barnidge recovering.
B COACHING: Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski's first-quarter play-calling was nearly flawless, as the Panthers scored touchdowns on their first two drives. Ron Rivera and Sean McDermott, former Andy Reid assistants, had a successful homecoming.
Joseph Person
