Carolina Panthers: Performance Grades from Week 5 against NY Giants

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CHARLOTTE, NC – OCTOBER 07: Mike Adams #29 of the Carolina Panthers makes an interception against the Carolina Panthers in the second half during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Defense

Defensive Line

It is certainly hard to gauge the performance of the defensive line because on one hand they held rookie Saquon Barkley to only 48 rushing yards on 15 attempts. The 3.2 yards per carry was the second lowest this season for Barkley. However, the defensive line struggled to get any real pressure on quarterback Eli Manning, as this group finished with no sacks and one QB hit.

Grade: C

Linebacker

It was a relatively quiet day for the Panthers linebackers as Luke Kuechly, Shaq Thompson, Ben Jacobs, David Mayo, Andre Smith and Jermaine Carter combined for only 11 total tackles. However, Kuechly did have the team’s lone sack and Thompson did have one tackle for a loss. This was a group that certainly is a strength of this team and is a group that is expected more from. The return of Thomas Davis will be a nice boost next week.

Grade: C+

Secondary

It was a tough day at the office for the Panthers’ secondary as Eli Manning threw for 326 passing yards, the highest total the Panthers have allowed this season, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. This group really didn’t have much of an answer, especially for Odell Beckham Jr. who had 131 receiving yards. The hope would be that going forward this defensive line can get more pressure on the quarterback and as Eric Reid becomes more comfortable in this defense he will be a boost.

Grade: C-

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