Grading the Carolina Panthers in their Week 8 win versus the Atlanta Falcons
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Panthers at Falcons
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It didn’t come easy or elegantly but the Panthers escaped Atlanta with a 19-13 victory against the Falcons.. Their defense carried them throughout as they sacked Matt Ryan three times and intercepted him twice.
Sam Darnold again struggled passing, though he didn’t commit any turnovers. Here’s a look at how the Panthers (4-4) graded out against the Falcons (3-4) on Sunday at Mercedes Benz Stadium
Passing offense
Darnold didn’t look as jumpy in the pocket versus Atlanta as Carolina’s offense played more fluidly. A heavy emphasis of run plays helped steady Darnold. The quarterback’s stat line would’ve looked better if DJ Moore hadn’t dropped a red zone slot fade from 11 yards out early in the first half. The Panthers had four drops Sunday and they continue to lead the league in that category.
Things didn’t change in the second half as Carolina leaned into a run-heavy scheme to keep the ball away from Atlanta and take time off the clock. Darnold finished with 13-of-24 passing for 129 yards. He didn’t turn it over but averaged only 5.4 yards per attempt.
The Panthers’ passing offense has a ways to go.
Grade: D
RUSHING OFFENSE
Credit Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady for actually committing to running the ball this week. He had an excuse to abandon it considering running back Chuba Hubbard fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. But the defense held Atlanta to only three points on a four-play, minus-2-yard drive.
Brady went right back to Hubbard the following drive. Carolina ran it seven times on their first 10 plays. At halftime, the Panthers had a healthy 50/50 run-pass split.
By the game’s end, the Panthers rushed it more than they ever had in the Rhule era, finishing with 46 total carries. Darnold left late in the fourth quarter with a concussion after an eight-yard rush near the goal line. It was an all-in effort on the ground as Carolina finished with 203 yards rushing.
Grade: B+
RED-ZONE OFFENSE
It’s impossible to have a red zone offense without penetrating the opponent’s 20-yard line. Carolina ran three plays inside Atlanta’s 20-yard line in the first half. They should’ve come away with a touchdown but Moore dropped that pass in the back of the end zone.
It’s a play a No. 1 receiver must make. The ball was slightly behind him but he twisted enough to pull it in, secure it with two hands and tap both his feet in. However, he didn’t maintain possession while going to the ground. The play was called incomplete. Rhule challenged it but lost.
Carolina reached the red zone once more in the fourth quarter while trying to close out the game. Hubbard rushed in from 6 yards out to put the Panthers up nine. It was the Panthers’ first touchdown in 20 possessions.
Grade: C
PASSING DEFENSE
The Panthers’ defense brought it versus Atlanta. Phil Snow’s unit does an excellent job complimenting their pass rush with their coverage calls. Stephon Gillmore making his season debut helped Carolina combat hybrid tight end Kyle Pitts. The Panthers double-covered him at times when they didn’t bring as much pressure. But on several critical third downs, Snow left Gilmore isolated on Pitts. A tough assignment considering the size difference but Gilmore held strong in his first action back since Week 12 of last season.
Pitts finished with two catches for 12 yards. He didn’t have a reception in the second half, largely because of Gilmore; he took the star rookie out of the game. His game-sealing interception with under two minutes to play epitomized his afternoon. As the game went on, Snow trusted Gilmore more which led to his first interception with the Panthers.
Ryan struggled to generate any consistent attack. Without Calvin Ridley, the Falcons had only one receiver catch a pass. Tajae Sharpe led all Atlanta receivers with five catches for 58 yards. But Carolina kept everything in front of them and didn’t allow a catch longer than 18 yards.
Grade: A
RUSHING DEFENSE
Atlanta entered Sunday as one of the worst-ranked rushing teams. That didn’t change versus Carolina. The Panthers held Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson to a combined 82 yards on 20 carries.
Falcons coach Arthur Smith fed his running backs plenty. His wide-zone scheme produced some nice cutbacks. But there were not enough explosive runs to threaten the Panthers’ rush defense.
Shaq Thompson led all players with nine total tackles. His second-quarter interception ended a threatening Falcons drive and sparked the defense to continue their dominant performance.
Grade: A
RED-ZONE DEFENSE
Similar to Carolina’s offensive issues, the Falcons didn’t reach the red zone much, either. In the first half, the Falcons scored from 15 yards out when Ryan hit Patterson on a short option route. Patterson took the check down, broke a Jermaine Carter Jr. tackle and scored.
But the Panthers’ defense remained stiff all afternoon. Atlanta didn’t reach the red zone again because of it.
Grade: C
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Panthers’ special teams played flawlessly. Kicker Zane Gonzalez hit a career-long 57-yard field goal to end the first half. He added kicks of 23, 29 and 51 as well. Gonzalez also nailed his lone extra point. That’s a stellar kicking performance.
Punter Lachlan Edwards made his debut and kicked well. Carolina punted twice for an average of 42.5 yards. Not great but certainly better than last week’s 36-yard average.
Grade: A-
COACHING
Rhule, Brady and Snow coached a complete game against Atlanta. Brady and Rhule finally appeared in sync with their desire to develop a run-pass balance. That helped keep Darnold calm and the Panthers in control.
Of course, this win was about the defense. Credit Snow for a solid game plan of sticking on Pitts, challenging the run and swarming the pocket. Ryan was under distress all afternoon. Carolina hit him seven times and earned three sacks.
Special teams coach Chase Blackburn deserves credit as well. His kicker had a perfect day and outscored the opponent himself.
Grade: A
This story was originally published October 31, 2021 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Grading the Carolina Panthers in their Week 8 win versus the Atlanta Falcons."
