Coming in at 5-4 and fresh off an absolute stunner of a win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, the Carolina Panthers were expected to take care of business against the 1-8 New Orleans Saints on Sunday. But that wouldn’t be the case.

Instead of actually assuming the role of the favorites, the Panthers faltered in a 17-7 loss at home. Their disappointing showing slowed their encouraging progress, and feels to be one of the biggest letdowns in recent memory.

And while there were some underwhelming performances from some key players, there were a few who did come through.

Here are their best and worst Pro Football Focus grades from the defeat . . .

*Players listed recorded at least 10 offensive or 10 defensive snaps.

Best of the offense

1. RT Taylor Moton: 69.7

2. WR Tetairoa McMillan: 68.8

3. LT Ikem Ekwonu: 66.4

4. RG Austin Corbett: 63.1

5. WR Jalen Coker: 60.6

Moton allowed zero pressures over 27 opportunities. He earned a team-best 83.3 pass-blocking grade.

McMillan fought through a hamstring injury to reel in five passes for a team-leading 60 receiving yards.

Worst of the offense

11. TE Mitchell Evans: 50.6

12. TE Tommy Tremble: 49.7

13. WR Xavier Legette: 47.0

14. QB Bryce Young: 36.3

15. WR Jimmy Horn Jr.: 36.0

Young’s overall mark is his worst of the season. He completed 17 of his 25 throws for 124 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.

Best of the defense

1. ILB Claudin Cherelus: 84.3

2. CB Mike Jackson: 75.0

3. OLB Nic Scourton: 72.9

4. S Nick Scott: 71.3

5. ILB Christian Rozeboom: 71.0

Cherelus helped man the middle, following the early exit of starter Trevin Wallace, with a team-best 81.9 grade in run defense.

Scourton tallied a sack and tied for a team-high four stops alongside defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton.

Worst of the defense

14. OLB Princely Umanmielen: 59.7

15. OLB Trevis Gipson: 59.1

16. S Lathan Ransom: 54.3

17. ILB Trevin Wallace: 51.3

18. CB Jaycee Horn: 28.1

Horn’s 28.1 overall grade is the lowest of his five-year career. The 2024 Pro Bowler allowed four receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns on four targets.

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