Panthers midseason grades: Offense, defense, & special teams
The midpoint of the season is always a good place to zoom out and take a wide-angle look at how the Carolina Panthers have played. A 1-7 record isn't really worth writing home about, but it is where the Panthers sit currently. Still after Week 9, there is no better time than now to take a […]
The midpoint of the season is always a good place to zoom out and take a wide-angle look at how the Carolina Panthers have played.
A 1-7 record isn't really worth writing home about, but it is where the Panthers sit currently.
Still after Week 9, there is no better time than now to take a look at each phase of the game for the Panthers and how they’ve done.
Offense
The skinny: There has been no point during the 2023 season that the Carolina Panthers offense has looked good. For some stretches, it looked competent –namely when Andy Dalton started against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. However, much of what the Panthers hoped would translate from Alabama with Bryce Young hasn't. As a result, the offense has struggled to move the ball, score points, and genuinely generate positive plays.
Frank Reich was hired to be an offensive coach. He quickly handed over play-calling duties at the bye week. Since doing so, the Panthers won a game, but the offense hasn't looked any better.
Grade: F
Defense
The skinny: A rare bright spot for the Panthers this season has been the defense. Despite dealing with numerous injuries all season, the Panthers have consistently played hard on the defensive side of the ball.
For example, against the Indianapolis Colts, the Panthers' defense held the Colts' offense to under 200 total yards and under 80 yards rushing. If not for the offense not doing its job, the Panthers could have walked out of Week 9 with another win under its belt.
Grade: B+
Special teams
The skinny: Eddy Pineiro and special teams company have been fine. That is the way it should be. If you notice special teams, then something is going wrong. In Carolina, that hasn't been the case.
Pineiro hit a game-winning field goal to vanquish the Houston Texans. And the unit ranks in the better half of the league. It is exactly what anyone can expect.
Grade: B
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