RUN OFFENSE: The Panthers still haven’t fixed their running game, but the hope is now that the rookie receivers are beginning to step up it might keep teams prevent some teams from putting eight men in the box. DeAngelo Williams was held to 44 yards on 19 carries (2.3 avg.) and also fumbled before leaving the game late with a foot injury. Jonathan Stewart was even more ineffective, limited to 29 yards on 14 carries. As a team, the Panthers had just 76 yards on 34 carries. The Panthers averaged 156.1 yards per game on the ground last season, so it’s hard to imagine they’re averaging just 95.7 per game this year. Grade: D-
PASS OFFENSE: The Panthers have been waiting for their rookie receivers to emerge and on Sunday they did. David Gettis overcame a dropped touchdown pass and had a career-high eight catches for 125 yards and scored his first two touchdowns. No. 3 receiver Brandon LaFell added six catches for 91 yards. Steve Smith was the low man on the totem pole, catching four balls for 50 yards. He also fumbled once and was flagged for unnecessary roughness. Matt Moore overcame an awful pick-6 to throw for 308 yards and two scores. Grade: B
RUN DEFENSE: Frank Gore ran for 102 yards on 19 carries, even though they keyed on stopping him. It’s the second straight game the Panthers have allowed a 100-yard rusher, so that’s beginning to become a bit of a concern. As a team, the 49ers had 99 yards on the ground and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. Grade: C
PASS DEFENSE: Alex Smith completed 9 of 19 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers, who continue to struggle covering running backs out of the backfield and tight ends. Gore had four catches for 57 yards while Vernon Davis had four receptions for 74 yards, including a touchdown. However, the Panthers knocked out Smith on a sack by Charles Johnson and then did a number on David Carr, who was 5 of 13 for 67 yards with an interception. Grade: B+
SPECIAL TEAMS: John Kasay couldn’t have been better, hitting from 47, 55 and 37 yards, the final being the game-winner. Rhys Lloyd belted all six kickoffs into the end zone and only two were returned. Both of those landed five yards deep. In the return game, Mike Goodson struggled a bit but Steve Smith provided an emotional boost on punt returns. Grade: A-
COACHING: Give the Panthers credit for taking some chances down the field, something they’ve desperately needed to do. Even Moore praised the coaching staff for allowing him to do that. If the Panthers are to be a factor, they have to play loose and that’s exactly what they did in the second half. You can criticize John Fox’s decision to go for it on fourth-and-9 at the San Francisco 16, but at least he was trying to win the game. It would be nice if the defense comes ready to play instead of giving up touchdowns on the first drive of the game. After that they settled down and played well. Grade: B+
