NFL Grades: Report card for each team after first quarter of 2018

By Randy Gurzi | Oct 2, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Running back Todd Gurley #30 and quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams enter the stadium through the tunnel area of their game against the Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 23: Donte Jackson #26 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after intercepting a pass late in the fourth quarter of theor win against the Cincinnati Bengals at Bank of America Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers won 31-21. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers (2-1): B

Let’s just get one thing out of the way, the Carolina Panthers got hosed. As did the Washington Redskins. That’s because Week 4 is far too early for the first bye week. Now, the Panthers will have 13-straight weeks of games before the playoffs, and if they don’t clinch the No. 1 or No. 2 spot, they still won’t get a break.

The NFL is all about teams being healthy at the right time and rest is a part of that. Is it the end of the world to get a break this early? No. But it just seems like they should play at least the first quarter before starting the bye weeks.

Now that we are off that soapbox, we can say the Panthers have started out the year strong. They have wins over the Cowboys and Bengals — offering the only loss to Cincinnati on this young season. They are also the only team Atlanta has beaten, but there’s no shame in that as the Falcons can put up points on anyone.

What the Panthers need going forward though is to find some consistency. The main spot they need that consistency to appear would be under center. Cam Newton can throw 350 yards one game and go for less than 200 the next few. While they still win more often than not, it seems like so much more of their offense would open up if they could become better at moving the ball through the air.

That’s a bit nitpicky though because they’re right in the race for the AFC South once again.

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