Midseason Panthers report

Offense

MVP: Running back DeAngelo Williams picked up where he left off last season. He's on pace for another 1,500-yard season. However, he's struggled at times with ball security.

Rookie impact: With all 11 starters back, the Panthers haven't called upon rookies much. Tyrell Sutton showed promise running, catching and blocking as a fill-in fullback against the Saints.

Best play: Williams broke free for a 66-yard touchdown run at New Orleans to give Carolina an early lead. It was the longest scoring play of the season.

Worst play: There are plenty from which to choose. But the worst of the worst came when Jake Delhomme overthrew an open Steve Smith and was intercepted by safety Jairus Byrd late in the third quarter against Buffalo. Byrd returned the ball to the Carolina 27 and set up the Bills' clinching touchdown in arguably the Panthers' worst loss.

Best trend: Carolina has re-established a forceful running game during the past month, rising to third in the NFL in rushing.

Worst trend: The passing game continues to struggle. Wide receivers have only one touchdown catch. Despite having no interceptions the past two games, Delhomme still leads the league with 13.

Looking ahead: There's nothing wrong with the Panthers being a run-first team, but if they don't become more efficient passing when they need to, the season isn't going to get better.

Defense

MVP: This is a tricky one, because the obvious choice - weakside linebacker Thomas Davis - is out for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee. But there's no doubt Davis was the defense's best player until going out late in Sunday's loss at New Orleans.

The loss of Davis will put more pressure to produce on middle linebacker Jon Beason, as well as defensive end Julius Peppers.

Rookie impact: Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (5 feet 8, 186 pounds) was a seventh-round draft choice but quickly impressed coaches with his savvy and toughness. He's a regular on the nickel package and also returns punts.

Best play: Peppers' interception of Arizona's Kurt Warner during the second quarter of Carolina's 34-21 victory. He overcame a cut block by Mike Gandy, then snatched Warner's pass and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown.

Worst play: The Panthers had spent the first half of their game at New Orleans keeping the Saints' potent offense at bay. Then, what appeared to be a short slant route run by receiver Devery Henderson turned into a 63-yard gain. The Saints scored on their next play and eventually won, 30-20.

Best trend: The Panthers are close to fully figuring out new defensive coordinator Ron Meeks' system and apparently have improved their run defense.

Worst trend: Injuries. Three starters - Davis and tackles Maake Kemoeatu (Achilles) and Louis Leonard (ankle) - are out for the season. Safeties Chris Harris (knee) and Charles Godfrey (ankle) have missed time (Godfrey is still out).

Looking ahead: How well Meeks can piece together his injury-depleted unit will tell the defense's story the rest of the season.

David Scott

Special teams

The good: Specialist Rhys Lloyd boots the ball into the end zone a league-leading 72.7 percent of the time. Long-snapper J.J. Jansen has proven to be as reliable as Jason Kyle, the player he replaced.

The bad: Before the season was five games old, Carolina had allowed a punt return for a touchdown, a kickoff return for a touchdown, a blocked punt and a blocked field goal.

Looking ahead: Special-teams play has stabilized in the past two games, but the damage inflicted earlier was immense.

David Scott

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