Panthers Report Card: Week 4 vs. Falcons

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson (3) passes against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

QUARTERBACK

BA game where the offense scores 33 points is usually a recipe for success. Unfortuantely, that wasn’t the case for the Panthers in this one as their defense let down a decent overall performance. Cam Newton and the offense didn’t manage a scoring drive until around six minutes to go in the second quarter but made their best efforts to come back after the Falcons lit up the score board. Just when Newton started the bounce back attempt he was knocked out of the game on a two-point conversion run. Backup QB Derek Anderson stepped in and brought the Panthers within eight points after leading two touchdown drives but ultimately ended the team’s chances with two costly picks. Individually the pair played solidly and together it was an overall quality quarterback outing as Newton posted 165 passing yards, 30 rushing yards and one score while Anderson logged 172 and two scores in addition to his interceptions.Next: RUNNING BACK

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal (22) tackles Carolina Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker (43) during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACK

CPlaying from behind for much of this contest certainly didn’t lend itself to a successful day on the ground as fairly early on the offense was forced to pass. Newton’s 30 yards led the dismal day on the ground as Cameron Artis-Payne, Fozzy Whittaker and Mike Tolbert combined for just 10 carries for a mere 19 yards. With the team reaching just 49 overall, their streak of 30 consecutive games with 100+ yards was snapped. And while the rushing stats that normally power the Panthers offense weren’t there to be had, Whittaker at least was able to contribute hugely in the passing attack as the off-speed back recorded nine catches for 86 yards to lead the team in both categories. Not much else can be said of this group in this game as they truly did the best they could with the limited chances they got once the Panthers were forced to abandon the run game.Next: WIDE RECEIVER & TIGHT END

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) catches a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

WIDE RECEIVER & TIGHT END

BEven with a running back leading the way in the receiving category on Sunday afternoon, the rest of the group collectively had an solid day overall as the team attempted to mount a comeback. Tight end Greg Olsen led the way among the pass catchers as Anderson relied on the veteran to aid in the team’s final two scoring drives. Olsen finished with 76 yards on six catches while adding an impressive one handed touchdown catch as well. Kelvin Benjamin returned from his goose egg last week to catch three passes for 39 yards and the score that began the Panthers comeback attempt. Six other Panthers caught passes in this one as the rock was spread evenly throughout the receiving corps which was highlighted by Philly Brown’s four catch, 48 yard, touchdown day and Devin Funchess’ two receptions for 56 yards before he left the game with a toe injury.Next: OFFENSIVE LINE

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dwight Freeney (93) celebrates a sack of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) in the second quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSIVE LINE

DOne of the biggest issues on this Panthers team has become the play of the offensive line and the job, or lack thereof, they have done in protecting Newton. This week the group was under manned as left tackle Michael Oher was sidelined with a concussion forcing Mike Remmers to shift over and Daryl Williams to slide into the starting lineup at right tackle. On the stat, sheet the group looked okay giving up just one sack on the day but the eight quarterback hits allowed tell another story entirely. Even against a highly subpar Falcons pass rush this unit didn’t look nearly as solid as they should have been. After two of three games against some of the top pass rushing defenses in Denver and Minnesota, the unit was given a slight break. But the ineffectiveness as penalties committed against this lowly of a defense is certainly a cause for concern as the Panthers move forward.Next: DEFENSIVE LINE

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) drops back to pass under pressure by Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) in the first quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE

FAs far as causes for concern go another red flag goes up in the air with the Panthers defensive line as their own lack of a pass rush has left the defense as a whole reeling and searching for help. The group notched two of the team’s three sacks as Kawann Short and Kyle Love recorded one each but even those two sacks weren’t nearly enough to hamper this high flying Falcons offense that absolutely torched the Carolina D. For much if not all of this contest, the Atlanta offensive line completely stifled the Panthers defensive line and gave Matt Ryan an eternity in the pocket to set up and find any receiver he chose. Defensive ends Charles Johnson and Kony Ealy who have both been largely disappointing this year recorded just one tackle each and haven’t given the rest of the Carolina defense with any sort of consistent pass rushing threat.Next: LINEBACKER

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is sacked by Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

LINEBACKER

A-It was much of the same from the Panthers linebackers who did what they could against this Falcons offense but had little help from their supporting cast at the other levels. Luke Kuechly led the way in tackles with a total of 12 on the day to go with a sack and a pass deflection. Thomas Davis also had a quality game going for himself before being knocked out with an injury early in the third quarter. He recorded three tackles and a pass deflection that wound up getting picked off by and taken in for the first points of the day for Carolina. Shaq Thompson added three tackles, including one for a loss, and a pass deflection as well and overall this unit helped keep the dynamic rushing duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman at bay giving up 90 yards total on the ground. There’s really only so much this trio can do for the defense as they’ll need to see some help come from the front line and the back end soon.Next: SECONDARY

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs for a touchdown against Carolina Panthers cornerback Bene

SECONDARY

FTo say that the Carolina secondary had an abysmal day would be a large understatement. This group was downright atrocious on Sunday as they allowed Ryan to throw for 503 yards and four scores on just 28 passes. Not only that, but they let Julio Jones single-handedly dominate them through four quarters as he caught 12 passes for a whopping 300 yards and a score. No one was able to do much of anything in coverage all day and whether it was a lack of execution or a lack of adjustments by the coaching staff, this unit will see a bulk of the blame for the defense giving up 42 of the 48 total points and allowing the first duo in NFL history to pass for 500 and catch 300. James Bradberry who was expected to follow Jones for much of this game went down early with a toe injury but returned and was largely ineffective as were other corners Bene Benwikere and Daryl Worley. And aside from Kurt Coleman’s pick six early on, the play from the safeties – Coleman, Tre Boston and newly signed Michael Griffin – was just as poor.Next: SPECIAL TEAMS

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is shown on the sideline in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

SPECIAL TEAMS

*All stats and info via ESPN.com