Grades: Jacksonville Jaguars at Carolina Panthers
B- QUARTERBACK: Cam Newton missed a lot of throws early in the game, most of them high. But he played turnover-free in wet conditions and completed all three of his passes on the game-winning drive.
C+ RUNNING BACKS: Jonathan Stewart had a strong showing for the second game in a row and is making a case for more carries. DeAngelo Williams has yet to get on track. But like Newton, Stewart and Williams get credit for holding onto the ball.
C RECEIVERS: With the rain and the Jaguars' varied coverages, the wideouts were virtually nonexistent. Tight ends and backs combined for 15 of the Panthers' 18 receptions.
B OFFENSIVE LINE: The front five did a nice job protecting Newton, who was not sacked and only scrambled a few times. It helped that the Jaguars didn't blitz. The run blocking was better.
B DEFENSIVE LINE: Greg Hardy sacked Blaine Gabbert in the end zone to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead. Charles Johnson had a sack. And after getting gashed by Maurice Jones-Drew early in the second half, the tackles held their ground.
B LINEBACKERS: No Jon Beason. No Thomas Davis. But James Anderson led a linebacker-by-committee approach with seven tackles. Dan Connor, Jason Williams and Thomas Williams made plays, as well.
C DEFENSIVE BACKS: Sherrod Martin had an interception, but missed a tackle on Mike Thomas' 36-yard touchdown catch at the end of the half. Captain Munnerlyn had a pass interference penalty to get the Jaguars into Carolina territory on their final drive. But a solid effort from a group missing two starters after the second quarter.
B SPECIAL TEAMS: Jason Baker pinned the Jaguars at or inside their 10 for the first two drives. Olindo Mare made both field goal attempts, and punt returner Armanti Edwards caught the ball despite staring into the raindrops a couple of times.
B- COACHING: The Panthers gave Jacksonville a touchdown at the end of the first half when they failed to account for the middle of the field. Ron Rivera played field-position football to get his first win as a head coach.
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