Carolina Panthers Week 15 performance analysis vs. New Orleans Saints

Carolina Panthers performance grades following a sixth straight loss.

The Carolina Panthers lost their sixth straight on Monday night and fourth in a row to divisional rival New Orleans. Playing better at home in 2018, the Panthers hopes of a playoff push and salvaging the season all vanished as quarterback Cam Newton and the offense struggled.

Defensively, Carolina rose to the challenge of facing a Saints offense averaging over 32 points and nearly 400 yards per game. Opposite earlier performances from the Panthers, this time the offense couldn’t get going to secure a victory.

Quarterback – F
After a blistering start to the season, Newton has regressed considerably over the second half culminating in a dismal performance on Monday Night Football. Newton completed just 55-percent of his throws, turned it over in the end zone and passed for just 131 yards – his lowest total since Week 4 of the 2015 season.

Running Back – A+
Running back Christian McCaffrey continued to show he can maintain receiving a bulk of the carries for the Panthers. But moving forward, and with no real hope for the playoffs, Carolina may lighten his load.

Receivers – D
Devin Funchess is non-existent in football games. Yes, Newton hasn’t been able to throw the football down the field but his lackluster effort in the end zone and zero catches in two weeks make him expendable at the end of the year. D.J. Moore also had a costly fumble at an inopportune time in the game.

Offensive Line – D
Newton was sacked four times and forced to scramble on more than one occasion. They made way for McCaffrey to get 53 yards on the ground but Carolina seemed to get away from the run despite a close game.

Defensive Line – A

Vernon Butler received credit for one-half a sack on Saints quarterback Drew Brees and his fellow linemen played well up front. Enough pressure was generated to force Brees outside the pocket and defensive end Julius Peppers batted down a pass.

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Linebacker – A+
Linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis combined for 25 tackles as both did everything they could to keep the Panthers playoff hopes alive. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.

Secondary – A
Expectations were Brees would pick apart the Carolina secondary and this unit came to play. James Bradberry had an interception, Captain Munnerlyn nearly had one and rookie Donte Jackson took a two-point conversion attempt back for a Panthers score after stealing a pass from Brees.

Special Teams – C-
Kicker Chandler Catanzaro made his lone attempt and Michael Palardy helped win the field position battle but big returns and a costly penalty (roughing the kicker) hurt the Panthers.

dark. Next. Newton - Undefeated No More

Before the game, if anyone had said the Panthers would hold New Orleans to only 12 points their win expectancy would have been near 100-percent but the complimentary football Newton spoke about when the offense was rolling didn’t show up.

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