QUARTERBACKS - B plus
Even with an interception in the end zone, Jake Delhomme had an 111.2 passer rating. He made numerous nice throws and made a heady decision to keep the ball in the second quarter when the Chiefs defense had sniffed out a planned reverse run by Steve Smith.
RUNNING BACKS - A minus
Big-time kudos to DeAngelo Williams for his breakout performance (123 yards rushing and three touchdowns). On a day when Jonathan Stewart found it difficult to find running room, Williams showed excellent straight-ahead burst on two touchdowns plays when the blocking was stellar. Stewart lost a fumble, something that happened only three times during his college career at Oregon.
RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS - B plus
Steve Smith did everything but score a touchdown, catching six passes for 96 yards. It's not fair to say he dropped the ball in the end zone because a defender forced it out. But he did have an earlier drop on what should have been an easy catch of a quick-out pass from Delhomme. Muhsin Muhammad, at 35, showed breakaway speed on a 47-yard touchdown reception.
OFFENSIVE LINE - A minus
Considering the Panthers were playing without their starting tackles, this was a standout performance. Jake Delhomme wasn't sacked and the Panthers gained 205 yards rushing, running the ball 48 times. There weren't a lot of huge holes for the runners, but Williams took advantage of two big openings for touchdowns.
DEFENSIVE LINE - A plus
What is there not to like? The defensive line led a dominating performance that held Chiefs' running back Larry Johnson to 2 yards on seven carries. The line also put consistent pressure on Kansas City's quarterbacks. Julius Peppers was credited with a sack and forced fumble on the same play. Second-year defensive end Charles Johnson had a sack and is playing better each week. This group also batted down or tipped four passes.
LINEBACKERS - A
Jon Beason had an interception, a pass deflection and was in on the tackle late in the game that secured the shutout. Thomas Davis played explosively, recording two tackles for losses.
DEFENSIVE BACKS - A
Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble blanketed the Chiefs receivers and got their hands in the way of numerous passes. They're playing as well as they ever have together. They safeties are doing a nice job, too.
SPECIAL TEAMS - B
John Kasay improved to 10-of-10 this season on field goal attempts. Rhys Lloyd's kickoffs weren't consistently as deep; two of seven were touchbacks. Mark Jones averaged 13.6 yards on five punt returns. Jason Baker had a strong day punting. Unfortunately, D.J. Hackett was injured on the opening kickoff on a play in which he was assessed a 15-yard penalty for an illegal block.
COACHING - A
The Panthers were extremely ready to play against a team with a 1-3 record and never let up, displaying a "killer instinct" they'll need as the season progresses. The game plan took advantage of the Chiefs' many vulnerabilities.
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