San Francisco 49ers

Carolina Panthers: Grades against San Francisco 49ers

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

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Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs the ball during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Panthers put together a powerful performance in their home opener against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Carolina Panthers used their season opener to show the rest of the league what happens when the offense is functioning at the highest level. The San Francisco 49ers played the victim role as they fell to the Panthers 46-27 in the first game played in Bank of America Stadium this season.

Cam Newton and this offense were expected to be a serious threat to opposing defenses and this game showed exactly why that should be a serious concern for every team lining up against them. The offense used a variety of weapons in order to get the job done early on Sunday, sending an early message to the rest of the NFL.

After each game, this recap looks back on how the Panthers performed in key areas: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, defensive unit, special teams and overall play. These grades range from an A for exceptional play to an F for multiple failures. These grades look at how well the team performed and provides ways in which this unit can improve in each of those areas.

Needless to say, the Panthers received high marks in nearly every category for how well they played in this game.

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) drops back to pass in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterbacks Grade: A

Cam Newton used this game to remind everyone exactly why he was the NFL MVP in 2015. He picked up right where he left off last season, completing 24-of-40 passes for 353 total yards and four touchdowns. He also threw one interception and was sacked one time. His quarterback rating for the day was 111.8. Even with those minor mistakes, this was a great outing for Newton as the leader of this group.

This was an important outing for Newton and this offense. Newton was struggling to lead this team to consistent scores. He failed multiple times throughout the preseason to get the offensive into the end zone; an issue that carried over into the first game against the Denver Broncos. The way the Panthers offense struggled at the end of the second half of that game was indicative of some historical issues plaguing the organization.

In the last year Newton has shown that he has the abilities and skill to power this team into the end zone and it’s always a positive thing to see him doing such with his arm as opposed to his legs. This game continued Newton’s growth as one of the best players in the league.

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker (43) runs the ball during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs Grade: B+

The Carolina Panthers are a dangerous running game and teams still struggle to do anything to stop them. Against the 49ers the Panthers gained 176 total yards on 37 attempts. Much of their success in this area is the fact that the Panthers use so many men to move the ball up the field. In this game the Panthers used five different rushers which continue their diverse use of the running game.

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Fozzy Whittaker led the group with 100 yards on 16 attempts. Newton was next in line with 37 yards on 16 attempts, followed by Mike Tolbert with 25 yards on nine attempts. Jonathan Stewart and Ted Ginn Jr. also contributed with nine and five yards respectively.

One of the telling stories coming out of this game is that Cameron Artis-Payne did not play for the second week in a row. Many expected him to be the main backup to relieve Stewart from his work load, but he hasn’t touched the field at any point this season. It will be interesting to see if this changes in the future, especially with Whittaker having such a strong performance for his second week in a row.

The only takeaway for this unit is the fact that they turned the ball over with three fumbles lost.

Either way, this performance allowed the Panthers to continue their streak of 100-yard rushing games that started back in 2014.

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) catches the ball as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Keith Reaser (27) defends in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers Grade: A+

The Carolina Panthers have a roster full of dangerous receivers and this game proved that point. Kelvin Benjamin’s return was expected to have a huge impact and two games into the season, he’s been just that. Even with 108 yards receiving and two touchdowns, he wasn’t the leading receiver in this game. That accolade goes to tight end Greg Olsen, a long-time favorite option for Newton. Olsen ended the day with 122 yards on five receptions, with the longest reception of the night with 78 yards.

The strength of the Panthers’ receiving core is one of the most interesting stories following this team into this season. This game shows just how much of a threat this group is to opposing defenses. Newton targeted 9 different receivers in this game, but that list doesn’t even include all of the weapons that are available. Most of the work was carried by Olsen and Benjamin but Devin Funchess also had a touchdown, even though his two catches for 19 yards is less of a contribution than expected.

When this unit gets into mid-season form it will be exciting to see how well they are matched up against defenses throughout the league. This game against the 49ers proved that they need to be recognized as one of the best passing attacks in the league.

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) breaks up a pass during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 46-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Unit Grade: B-

Defensively the Panthers gave up a lot of points, but were able to get key stops and takeaways to halt this San Francisco defense.

The 49ers were held to 16 first downs and only allowed them to complete four-of-14 third-down attempts. The defense held the 49ers run game to 65 total yards which limited their play calling ability late in the game. The Panthers forced three turnovers in the form of two interceptions and one fumble; keeping up with the mantra of taking the ball away as often as possible in each game.

Luke Kuechly led the unit with 11 tackles, four of which were solo and one pass deflected. Rookie Daryl Worley looked strong in his second professional game as he had six total tackles, five solo, and one pass defended on his own.

The Panthers gave up 27 points, which is a high total, but the group did not break late in the game; giving the Panthers’ offense multiple opportunities late in the game to pull away. Fans and experts should not be too concerned about the total of points that were given up in this game; but focus on the team’s ability to get stops and limit the 49ers’ offense.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) reacts following the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams Grade: B

The Panthers’ special teams unit remained consistent throughout this game. Graham Gano was perfect on field goal attempts, completing all four of his attempts with a long of 49 yards. Unfortunately he wasn’t perfect with his extra point attempts, completing four of the five opportunities placed in front of him. After the missed field goal that cost the Panthers the opening game against the Denver Broncos, it should be concerning any moment that Gano misses any form of field goal.

Andy Lee completed three punts for 123 total yards, an average of 41 yards. Plus he forced three touchbacks during the game. Lee is expected to be a strong replacement for Brad Nortman and these two games of the year lend themselves to that argument.

Ted Ginn Jr. led the kick and punt returning effort. He returned 6 kickoffs for 130 yards and an average of 21.7 yards. He also had three punt return attempts for 28 yards. Carolina hasn’t had an effective kick return team for the past few years but the unit performed well in this game. The offense and defense consistently does enough to control the field position battle which has not come through an ability to move the ball during these return opportunities.

Sep 18, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera looks on during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Overall Play Grade: A-

With the final score being 46-27 there’s clearly more positive than negatives to take away from this game. There were a few issues on both sides of the ball, but the Carolina Panthers performance was exceptional in this home opener.

Offensively, this is about as perfect a game a team could have. There were a few miscues in the form of turnovers that hampered the unit momentarily, but they remained effective; getting into the end zone multiple times each quarter. This has been a major concern for this team and this game showed that they have an improved offense even when compared to the group that was on the field in the 2015 season.

Defensively, Carolina gave up a lot of points. Giving up 237 total yards may raise some alarm, but this is comparable to the way this team performed last season. Daryl Worley and James Bradberry continue to grow into their roles as a part of this defensive secondary. At the same time, this front unit reminded people they are one of the best groups in the league; severely hampering the San Francisco offense.

Overall, this was a great performance to show what this Panthers team can do and how they intend to keep up their performances from last season.

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