Panthers Report Card: Week 13 vs. Seahawks

The Carolina Panthers fell hard against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night in front of a national TV audience and the grades are not pretty…

Dec 4, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws a pass under pressure during the third quarter in a game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

QUARTERBACK

DIn what was an abysmal Sunday night matchup against the Seahawks, Cam Newton – and Derek Anderson – were equally dreadful. Newton and the entire offense struggled throughout the night never getting into a rhythm or maintaining any semblance of consistency. The first play of the game for Carolina – an interception from Anderson, the starter – set a tone for the remainder of the night’s matchup. Newton completed just 14 of his 32 attempts for a mere 182 yards with 55 of those coming on one pass; his and the team’s lone touchdown. The Panthers’ QB and the rest of the offense had it’s opportunities as they crossed into Seattle territory on six of their eleven drives, turning the ball over just once in the redzone.Next: RUNNING BACK

Dec 4, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Carolina, 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACK

DGetting behind early certainly didn’t help the Carolina Panthers offense in anyway as it forced them to limit their rushing opportunities. Of course, Jonathan Stewart’s fumble early on didn’t help anything either. The team as a whole rushed for 89 yards as Stewart led the way with 50 yards on 11 carries. Over half of Stewart’s yards though (29) were gained on one play with the game already out of reach. Fullback Mike Tolbert contributed some, adding 21 yards on 4 carries, although he was to blame for the first play interception as the ball bounced clean off his hands and into the arms of a Seattle defender.Next: WIDE RECEIVER and TIGHT END

Dec 4, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter in a game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

WIDE RECEIVER & TIGHT END

CTed Ginn Jr.’s performance is the only reason for a grade this high. The rest of the receiving corps, particularly Kelvin Benjamin, did little to help out their quarterback and the offense in general. Ginn led the way in all categories catching five passes for 80 yards and scoring on a classic deep ball. No one else in the group caught more than three passes or had more than 45 yards. Throughout the night it looked as though Newton and his receivers were out of sync. He appeared to be forcing throws into tight windows with his receivers unable to get open against a tough Seahawks secondary.Next: OFFENSIVE LINE

Dec 4, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is pressured by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark (55) during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSIVE LINE

BAs unexpected as it may be, the makeshift Carolina offensive front was as solid as they’ve been all season. A unit that consisted of, from left to right, Mike Remmers, Andrew Norwell, Tyler Larsen, Chris Scott and Trai Turner kept Newton upright for the entire contest allowing zero sacks against a ferocious Seattle pass rush that saw the return of Michael Bennett. As these numbers would suggest, Newton had plenty of time for much of the night but was simply unable to find any open receivers. In the run game, this group could have been better but playing from behind were asked to pass protect more than run block.Next: DEFENSIVE LINE

Dec 4, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) breaks away from Carolina Panthers defensive end Ryan Delaire (91) during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE

COverall, it was a pretty average showing from the Carolina Panthers defensive front, who at times looked great against the Seahawks front five. While at other times giving Russell Wilson all day to carve up the defense behind them. Kony Ealy, Charles Johnson and Wes Horton contributed 2.5 of the team’s 3 total sacks. Carolina has definitely missed sack leader Mario Addison but still performed solidly, although not well enough to get Wilson flustered or stop anyone at the lime of scrimmage in the run game.Next: LINEBACKER

Dec 4, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

LINEBACKER

CIn another game without their fearless leader, Luke Kuechly, the Panthers linebackers performance continued to suffer. Thomas Davis looked to be hobbled by a leg injury, as he was slow to make his usual big-time plays. A.J. Klein did about as expected filling in for Kuechly; not great but certainly not terrible. The real reason this group had such a bad day is the constant images of Shaq Thompson missing tackle after tackle. This group is usually the driving force behind the Panthers stout run defense but this week they allowed Thomas Rawls to rush for over 100 yards in the first half alone and the Seahawks to gain 240 yards total on the ground.Next: SECONDARY

Dec 4, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) leaps over Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley (26) for a touchdown during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

SECONDARY

C-It was another less than stellar day for the Carolina secondary that was without their leader, Kurt Coleman. Having to account for the ground game really took a toll on this unit’s performance as they were forced to react to both passes and rushers entering the secondary. However, allowing constant 8-yard completions was no one’s fault but their own. They allowed Wilson to throw for 277 yards and gave up 60+ yards to four different Seahawks receivers. Coleman’s replacement, Michael Griffin, led the team in tackles with 14 while James Bradberry, Daryl Worley and Robert McClain had eight, six and five, respectively. Tre Boston intercepted a pass but outside of that there weren’t many positives to go around.Next: SPECIAL TEAMS

Nov 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers punter Michael Palardy (5) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Saints 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

SPECIAL TEAMS

*All stats and info via ESPN.com