Well, it seems as though we're picking up where we left off with the Carolina Panthers , doesn't it?
The team opened their preseason with a largely lackluster performance— falling to the host New England Patriots , 17-3. And much like this past year, one side of the ball let the other one down.
That's pretty well-reflected in the best and worst Pro Football Focus grades of the outing. Let's check them out . . .
1. TE Jordan Matthews : 87.42. LG Chandler Zavala : 84.03. RT Ricky Lee : 65.04. RB Jaden Shirden : 62.05. RB Mike Boone : 59.3
Carolina didn't muster up much on offense—as they converted on two of their 14 third-down attempts, totaled just 151 yards and didn't score until the 1:54 mark of the fourth quarter. But Matthews highlighted whatever production there was, reeling in three passes for a team-high 48 yards.
Zavala, who was far from a PFF darling during his rookie campaign, led all his fellow Panthers linemen with a 81.6 run-blocking grade and a 78.1 pass-blocking grade. The second-year hog molly also played in every one of the unit's 54 snaps.
20. WR Terrace Marshall Jr. : 44.521. C Andrew Raym : 43.022. QB Jack Plummer : 39.223. WR Jonathan Mingo : 37.624. C Cade Mays : 33.7
Marshall Jr. and Mingo, two of the early summer stars for the team, came up empty over a combined three targets. Both were charged with one drop apiece.
The undrated rookie Plummer struggled as well. He completed 11 of his 21 throws for 86 yards while eating five sacks.
1. OLB Eku Leota : 90.12. OLB Luiji Vilain : 89.93. ILB Claudin Cherelus : 84.54. CB Lamar Jackson : 78.35. ILB Jackson Mitchell : 78.0
Leota and Vilain both chalked up a team-leading four pressures. The former also recorded two stops.
Jackson earned an 86.8 grade in coverage. He allowed one reception (13 yards) over three targets.
24. DT Ulumoo Ale : 51.425. CB Chau Smith-Wade : 43.826. DT T.J. Smith: 42.127. DE Junior Aho : 40.028. CB Willie Drew : 24.7
Drew wasn't as sharp, as he was on the bitter end of the 38-yard touchdown connection between Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III and wideout JaQuae Jackson . That helped him take a 26.0 mark in coverage.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers' preseason loss to Patriots
