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Grades from Bills-Panthers game on Oct. 25
QUARTERBACK
Grade: F
Comment: Jake Delhomme’s performances this season simply aren’t up to the standard he set in the past. He overthrew two passes that were intercepted and let to touchdowns. Both were crushing blows for the Panthers. Delhomme knew it and looked truly pained that his play at hurt the team so severely.
RUNNING BACKS
Grade: B minus
Comment: This could’ve been another big rushing day for the Panthers against Buffalo’s poor run defense, but the Panthers had to abandon the run to play catch-up late. DeAngelo Williams ran well, but was penalized 15 yards for a chop block. The offense missed the blocking of fullback Brad Hoover, out with a back injury.
RECEIVERS
Grade: C plus
Comment: Steve Smith had one of his two best games of the season, but there was no joy for him because the team lost. Tight end Gary Barnidge made a huge play, catching a 52-yard pass.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Grade: C
Comment: The Panthers averaged 4.6 yards a rushing carry, but failed to convert a crucial fourth-and-1. There was decent pass protection most of the game until late, when the Bills knew the Panthers had to pass. Right tackle Jeff Otah was beaten for a fourth-quarter sack. Center Ryan Kalil had a low snap in a shotgun formation play from the Carolina 10.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Grade: B plus
Comment: The Bills rushed 30 times but averaged only 1.8 yards per carry. However, the line got beaten badly on a first-quarter touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch. Defensive end Tyler Brayton had a sack for a 9-yard loss, but also picked up a late penalty. Julius Peppers had a sack (his sixth of the season), a quarterback hurry and four tackles.
LINEBACKERS
Grade: B
Comment: This group played well despite missing leading tackler Thomas Davis with a hamstring injury. Jon Beason led the team with seven tackles, two for losses. Beason also had a key stop of Bills’ receiver Terrell Owens on a running play late in the game. Usual backup Landon Johnson played well in a relief role.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Grade: B plus
Comment: The Panthers did a nice job of shutting down the Bills passing game, but couldn’t intercept quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was filling in for injured starter Trent Edwards. Chris Gamble made some plays, but gave up a 50-yard pass to Lee Evans in the fourth quarter. Chris Harris had a big hit to break up a pass over the middle.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Grade: F
Comment: Usually reliable John Kasay missed two field goal attempts of less than 45 yards. Kenny Moore fumbled away a punt return late in the game to prevent the Panthers from having a chance at make a late attempt to get back in the game. Carolina averaged only 2 yards on punt returns and 11.3 on kickoff returns, very substandard. Credit punter Jason Baker for a nice punt midway through the second quarter that Quinton Teal downed at the Buffalo 4.
COACHING
Grade: F
Comment: Coaches are responsible for results, and the result of this game was a very damaging loss. The Panthers offense rolled up yards but looked almost inept in trying to score. The defense had to call timeout once because it had too many men on the field. Also, coach John Fox’s decision to try for a first down on fourth-and-1 backfired when the Bills sent a run blitz and stuffed the play for a 2-yard loss. Now, Fox faces the difficult decision of whether or not to bench quarterback Delhomme for the next game.
-- Charles Chandler
