Carolina Panthers

Panthers Report Card: Week 12 vs. Raiders

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Carolina Panthers made a miracle comeback but then fell short against a hot Oakland Raiders team. In a tale of two halves, here’s how they graded out:

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

QUARTERBACK

B-A tale of two halves has been a common adage this season for Cam Newton and really the entire Carolina Panthers squad and Sunday was no different. Newton stumbled his way through the first half with a lone rushing score as just about the only highlight. But then came half number two, when the reigning MVP emerged and brought his team back from a 17-point deficit with a pair of touchdown passes and steady drives. Newton finished the day with 246 yards through the air and a pair of scores – and one on the ground – along with his pick-six in the first half. Newton brought him team back and took the lead but ultimately as a whole they faltered late and couldn’t overcome the Raiders.

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) leaps over the Oakland Raiders defense for a touchdown during the second half at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACK

AAfter a string of poor performances on the ground over the last few weeks, Jonathan Stewart burst back onto the scene proving just how important his success is to this Panthers offense. Coming back out after a subpar first half, Stewart lit it up in the second scoring twice to aid in the comeback and ripping off big run after big run. He finished the day with 96 yards on 17 carries to average 5.6 yards per touch on the day.

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) catches a pass against the defense of Oakland Raiders during the first half at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

WIDE RECEIVER & TIGHT END

B-Newton’s anemic first half meant the same for this crew as their opportunities were limited. But half number two saw them make a fair share of big plays but also commit more than few errors that ultimately led to the Panthers’ loss. The biggest day came from Ted Ginn Jr. who led the way with four catches for 115 yards with 88 of those coming on a long touchdown pass and catch in the third quarter. Top weapons Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen only saw 11 combined targets and both saw success and struggles. Benjamin made a big 44-yard catch to put Carolina up in the fourth while Olsen contributed with a few big drive extending catches but also let one – albeit on a somewhat high throw – hit off his hands that would have put the Panthers in field goal range in the game’s final drive.

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) and tackle Mike Remmers (74) react against the Oakland Raiders during the second half at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSIVE LINE

D+The makeshift offensive line of the Panthers got hit even harder on Sunday with left guard Andrew Norwell ending the game as the only starter still intact at his normal spot. An injury to fill-in right tackle Daryl Williams forced right guard Trai Turner to slide over and forced utility lineman Chris Scott to move fill Turner’s role. Then an injury to backup center Gino Gradkowski – already filling in for Ryan Kalil – forced practice squad call-up Tyler Larsen into center duties. With all things considered, the group only allowed two sacks on the day but still allowed Newton to be hit eight times including a strip sack from Khalil Mack on the final play of the game.Next: DEFENSE & SPECIAL TEAMS

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) runs the ball against Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) during the first half at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE

C+The hot streak that the Panthers defensive line had been riding since the bye week seemed to have cooled off a bit on Sunday against the Raiders’ high flying offense. Through the first half the unit was unable to do much against an elite Oakland offensive line that gave Derek Carr more than enough time to get in a rhythm. They stepped up in the second half though doing more to help out the secondary and quiet the Raiders for much of the half. Without their top sacker, Mario Addison, the group logged just one of the team’s two sacks, with it coming from Charles Johnson, and only had five QB hits.

November 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera (81) catches a pass while being tackled by Carolina Panthers outside linebacker A.J. Klein (56) during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

LINEBACKER

B-Minus Luke Kuechly, it was up to A.J. Klein to step up in his place and overall he did a solid job. Klein logged five tackles and a sack and helped shut down the Raiders ground game to just 55 total yards. In coverage though, Klein was exposed time and time again and wasn’t receiving nearly enough help giving up multiple big plays to Oakland’s Michael Crabtree. Thomas Davis had another big day as per usual with seven tackles and a pass defensed and curiously, Shaq Thompson was rarely used in this one.

Nov 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) breaks up a pass intended for Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) in the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

SECONDARY

C+Overall it was another solid outing for the Panthers’ secondary with rookie corners James Bradberry and Daryl Worley gaining more experience and looking better each week. Worley led the team in tackles with 12 on the day pitched in six and had another big game in coverage. The biggest issue in this group came from the safeties that appeared to be out of position on a number of the game’s biggest plays. On multiple occasions, Kurt Coleman and Tre Boston were supposed to be giving Klein safety help over the top and each time it resulted in a big play like on a deep 49-yard catch down the middle to Crabtree late in the second half and on the Raiders’ go-ahead touchdown. The two did do their part in the tackle category with 11 for Coleman and eight for Boston, but played too big of a role in Carr’s 315 passing yards on the day.

Sep 14, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) congratulates teammates after a field goal during the game against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina defeated Detroit 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

SPECIAL TEAMS

*All stats and info via ESPN.com