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Falcons-Panthers on 11.15.09
QUARTERBACK
Grade: A minus
This was Jake Delhomme’s best game of the season. He threw the ball well, called plays effectively when the Panthers were in their no-huddle offense, had no interceptions for the third straight game and threw two touchdown passes to Steve Smith.
RUNNING BACKS
Grade: A minus
DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart had another “Double Trouble” kind of day, rushing for 92 and 82 yards, respectively. Stewart broke free for the game-winning TD. Williams had a 28-yard run and a 30-yard reception. It was definitely a plus that neither of them fumbled.
RECEIVERS
Grade: B plus
Comment: For the first time this season, there were glimpses of the Panthers having an effective passing game incorporating multiple receivers. Muhammad came back strong after missing two weeks with a knee injury, catching 21- and 22-yard receptions on the first scoring drive and finish with 91 yards receiving. Smith caught a pair of 4-yard touchdowns, doubling his TD total from the previous eight games.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Grade: A
Comment: These guys did a remarkable job, especially considering they had to deal with losing all-pro left tackle Jordan Gross to a broken ankle. Travelle Wharton handled the switch from left guard to left tackle well, and Mackenzy Bernadeau responded to his first extended playing time. The line held the Falcons without a sack and did a strong job in the running game.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Grade: C minus
Comment: The Panthers weren’t nearly as stout as they have been against the run, but didn’t have Julius Peppers on running downs because of a hand injury. The Falcons averaged 6.1 yards a carry. Carolina also didn’t sack Matt Ryan, but did hurried him four times, including twice by Peppers.
LINEBACKERS
Grade: C minus
Comment: There’s no doubt that Thomas Davis was missed. The Panthers had some issues stopping the run that need to be fixed soon because Miami (Thursday’s opponent) has a powerful running game.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Grade: B
Comment: The Panthers did a nice job defending Matt Ryan, intercepting him twice on overthrown deep balls. Rookie Sherrod Martin continues to impress, getting one of the interceptions and making a key stop near the goal line. Richard Marshall dropped one would-be interception and gave up a touchdown pass, but made up for it with a huge pick late in the game that he returned 28 yards to set up Carolina’s clinching score. Chris Gamble fared well except for a whiffing on an interception attempt that resulted in a 34-yard gain by Roddy White.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Grade: C plus
Comment: On the plus side, Jason Baker and Quinton Teal combined for another punt downed inside the 5, and Baker made a touchdown-saving tackle (ok, it was a shove out of bounds, but it worked). On the down side, the Panthers had a field goal blocked for the second time this season and almost lost the game on Eric Weems 24-yard punt return when Baker came to the rescue. There was no way to get a return game going against Atlanta’s excellent kickoff specialist/punter Michael Koenen.
COACHING
Grade: B plus
Even after last week’s tough loss to New Orleans and mounting injury issues, John Fox and his staff have this team playing consistently well. There were whispers last week that the loss to the Saints would break this team’s spirit, but that didn’t happen. The offensive game plan, using a no-huddle offense extensively and relying more on the passing game, worked well.
