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Panthers vs. Lions Report Card
QUARTERBACK: C
It was a big day for the running game, so Jake Delhomme didn’t have to do much throwing the football. Still, he wasn’t as sharp as he has been at times this season, though he was certainly better than last week at Oakland.
RUNNING BACKS: A plus
Granted, it was against the Lions, but this was the type of performance Panthers officials dreamed about when they drafted Jonathan Stewart to pair with DeAngelo Williams. They became the first pair of backs in team history to rush for 100 yards in the same game. They ran hard and with authority, which should give them confidence for the weeks ahead. Fullback Brad Hoover’s blocking was a huge part of their success.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS: C plus
The Lions were committed to stopping Steve Smith and held him to six receptions for 59 yards. But the focus they put on him helped create openings for the running game. Smith also helped out with a 16-yard run. The tight ends blocked well and Jeff King caught a 16-yard TD pass.
OFFENSIVE LINE: A
There were huge holes for the running game on a day when Carolina set a franchise record for rushing yards in a game. The pass blocking was also good. Delhomme wasn’t sacked.
DEFENSIVE LINE: B minus
Julius Peppers had his second consecutive big game, with two sacks, a forced fumble and a tackle for a 19-yard loss. However, the Lions’ offensive line opened some nice holes for running back Kevin Smith, who became the second back this season to go over 100 yards rushing against Carolina. Defensive end Charles Johnson was penalized twice.
LINEBACKERS: B plus
Thomas Davis seemed to be everywhere, finishing with a game-high 11 tackles, a forced fumble, half a sack, and two quarterback hurries. Jon Beason kept Detroit quarterback Daunte Culpepper out of the end zone on a two-conversion attempt that could have tied the score in the fourth quarter. Na’il Diggs had an interception and surpassed 700 career tackles.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: B
The secondary continues to a do a good job of preventing long pass plays. Rookie safety Charles Godfrey’s interception with less than five minutes remaining was the play of the game and set up touchdown that put away the Lions.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B minus
The punting team continues to be ultra-effective. Jason Baker punted five times and the Lions only made one return for a 7-yard gain. Gary Barnidge’s roughing-the-punter penalty was unfortunate but didn’t lead to any Lions’ points.
COACHING: B
The game was much closer than expected, but the Panthers have escaped the past two weeks against subpar teams with wins and now head into an important stretch run.
