Even in defeat, the Carolina Panthers seem to be getting a bit closer to who they want to be. And now, for a second straight week, their Pro Football Focus grades seem to be indicating who is helping them find that identity.
Here are the best and worst marks from Sunday’s 34-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals:
Best of the offense
1. QB Andy Dalton: 79.1
2. RB Miles Sanders: 73.4
3. TE Ja’Tavion Sanders: 72.7
4. WR Diontae Johnson: 71.5
5. RB Chuba Hubbard: 69.5
Dalton leads the group after a second-place finish in last week’s 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He completed 25 of his 40 throws for 220 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Johnson and Hubbard also starred on offense again. The former reeled in seven passes for 83 yards and a touchdown while the latter rushed for a game-high 104 yards and a score on 18 carries.
Worst of the offense
22. OL Brady Christensen: 57.5
23. WR Jalen Coker: 56.6
24. WR David Moore: 54.5
25. WR Jonathan Mingo: 52.3
26. TE Tommy Tremble: 45.2
Mingo caught three of his five targets for a combined 24 yards. One of the misses was charged as a drop, his first of the season.
Best of the defense
1. ILB Shaq Thompson: 79.5
2. OLB Thomas Incoom: 77.0
3. OLB Jadeveon Clowney: 69.1
4. OLB DJ Johnson: 67.4
5. CB Jaycee Horn: 66.8
On a day where the defense really struggled to wrap up, Thompson and Horn picked up three stops apiece.
Horn, in addition, allowed four receptions for 33 yards over seven targets.
Worst of the defense
15. ILB Trevin Wallace: 51.4
16. CB Troy Hill: 51.1
17. NT Nick Thurman: 50.1
18. DE LaBryan Ray: 45.6
19. OLB Charles Harris: 38.7
Both Hill and Harris were chalked up with two missed tackles. One of Harris’ came on the 63-yard touchdown by Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
