Carolina Panthers

Panthers Report Card: Week 6 vs. Saints

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

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Another dismal performance from the Carolina Panthers D spoiled a valiant comeback attempt from Cam Newton and the offense. Here’s how they graded out:

Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) scores on a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

QUARTERBACK

B+After missing the team’s Week 5 matchup versus Tampa Bay, Cam Newton was cleared to go and did his best to put his team on top in Week 6. Newton led a Panthers offense that suffered another slow start but eventually kicked it into gear and nearly mounted a comeback. The Panthers QB finished with 322 yards and three scores (two passing, one rushing). While there was a lot to like about Newton’s performance, there was also plenty to criticize. His interception came at an awful time with Carolina knocking on the door of the end zone as he overthrew Devin Funchess and on multiple occasions overthrew wide open targets. Uncharacteristically, Newton rushed just twice for one total yard as the team appeared to be trying to protect their QB. It was by no means a perfect day for Newton on Sunday – a day in which he set the record for most passing yards and rushing scores in franchise history – but he was able to tie it up late in the fourth quarter and did all that could have been asked of him in this one.

Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACK

AThe return of Jonathan Stewart after a three game absence was certainly a welcomed addition for the Panthers offense that looked out of whack without him in the lineup. Stewart had himself an excellent showing as well rushing 19 times for 85 yards and two scores. Unfortunately, even with his 4.5 yards per carry average, the Panthers were forced to abandon the run game at a certain point and begin throwing to try to catch up to the scoring pace of the Saints. The positive though was that the Panthers rushing attack looked to be back to normal, even with Newton essentially a non-factor in it. With the Carolina offense looking to help out their struggling D as much as possible and establish themselves as a top unit once again, having Stewart back as the lead back in the lineup is a major key and a positive performance from him helps out even more.

Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) is unable to hold onto a reception as New Orleans Saints cornerback Ken Crawley (46) defends during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

WIDE RECEIVER & TIGHT END

A-Newton’s 27 completions on 47 attempts meant he was looking to his receiving corps early and often in this matchup and, for the most part, they did all they could to keep this offense moving and being productive. Newton relied on his top targets, Greg Olsen and Kelvin Benjamin, heavily once again as the two caught six passes for 94 yards and eight passes for 86, respectively, and were targeted a combined 21 times – almost half of their quarterback’s total attempts. The other receivers chipped in too; Ted Ginn Jr. caught five passes for 54 yards while Funchess hauled in two for 28 including a nice 17-yard score with less than two minutes to go in the first half. Even backup tight end Ed Dickson got into the action catching three passes for 23 yards and a score and nearly hauled in another. As per usual, the pass catchers went as their QB went and did what they could for their team here.

Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) before a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSIVE LINE

B-Overall, it was a solid bounce back game for the Panthers offensive line albeit against a less than stellar New Orleans front seven. With starting left tackle Michael Oher still in the concussion protocol, the Panthers trotted out the same lineup as the last two weeks prior with Mike Remmers at left tackle and Daryl Williams on the right side. The unit gave up just two sacks on the day but allowed a whopping 13 QB hits on Newton. One issue that hasn’t improved though is the unit’s penalties woes. Remmers and backup guard Chris Scott were both flagged on Sunday. This group, particularly the tackles, still has work to do to get back to the level they were at last year but at least look to be taking a step in the right direction.Next: DEFENSE

Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws as Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) pressures during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE

D+While the secondary can take the blame for many if not all of these poor defensive performances, the defensive line isn’t far behind in that category as they’ve done relatively nothing to aid their teammates on the back end. The group logged just one sack against the subpar Saints offensive front and allowed Drew Brees to take his time picking apart the Panthers defense. Charles Johnson and Kawann Short made a few positive plays to help out but the real concern comes from Kony Ealy who still hasn’t recorded a sack and couldn’t do so against the Saints’ third string left tackle.

Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) catches a touchdown past Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Green-Thompson (54) during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

LINEBACKER

B+As seems to be the case just about every week, the Panthers trio of stud linebackers did all they could to propel their team to victory but alas, they can only do so much. Luke Kuechly played his usual part of tackling machine notching 11 to lead the Panthers with Thomas Davis and Shaq Thompson not far behind racking up eight and seven tackles, respectively. The trio’s 26 total tackles helped Carolina shut down the Saints run game as Mark Ingram and company mustered just 63 yards on the ground. There was one egregious gaffe that could probably be blamed on all three when tight end Coby Fleener caught a pass in the middle of about four Panthers and turned it into a 50-yard score.

Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill (89) holds on to a touchdown catch as Carolina Panthers cornerback Zack Sanchez (31) defends during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

SECONDARY

FAnother week of Panthers football and another week of the secondary getting absolutely torched. That was certainly the case in this one as the Carolina defensive backs were helpless to stop Brees, Brandin Cooks and the rest of the Saints passing offense. They allowed 465 yards through the air to go with four scores from Brees. Without top corners James Bradberry and Robert McClain, the team was forced to trot out Daryl Worley, Zack Sanchez and Teddy Williams at cornerback who were simply no match for Brees’ expertise. Williams managed to grab an interception but outside of that there were few if any positive plays to take away from this unit that has now given up the first and second most passing yards in a game in their entire franchise history.

Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) reacts after missing an extra point during the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Panthers 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

SPECIAL TEAMS

*All stats and info via ESPN