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The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Carolina Panthers on Sunday using a combination of stifling second-half defense and timely offense. The 22-6 final score suggested it was not close, but it was one of the tightest games of the season until late in the game.
There were no surprising grades on offense. The Cardinals (3-2) received solid performances from a few players and one despicable performance.
On defense, however, one player was given a poor grade despite stacking the stat sheet.
Here is how ProFootballFocus.com saw the game.
Offense
LG Daryn Colledge (+2.2)
It's official: Daryn Colledge is back. If you weren't certain after he was the top-rated offensive player last week, he did it again against the Panthers (1-3) to remove all doubt.
He allowed just one quarterback hurry, bringing his season pressures allowed total to one QB hit and five hurries -- he has yet to allow a sack. He's a bright spot on a line in need of great players, and he's playing some of the best football of his career.
That's good news for the offense going forward.
RB Andre Ellington (+1.7)
PFF is confirming what most of us already know by giving Andre Ellington the second-highest grade on the offense, and that is that he should be playing more.
He led the team in rushing yards for the second straight week despite having far fewer carries than starter Rashard Mendenhall both weeks. Over the past two games, Ellington has a combined 11 carries for 81 yards (7.4 YPC) while Mendenhall has 29 carries for 64 yards (2.2 YPC) -- I may have cussed out loud multiple times while gathering those stats.
TE Rob Housler (-5.1)
Speaking of cussing out loud, this was Rob Housler's entire Sunday afternoon: -2.7 grade in the passing game, -0.8 in pass blocking, -0.9 in run blocking and -0.7 in penalties (illegal formation; covering a tight end on the line).
He did not have a reception and was charged with a dropped pass when Carson Palmer hit him on the hand despite Housler not looking for it.
Hopefully, this is rock bottom for the talented, young tight end. The team needs production from the position, and he's the best they have.
Defense
Calais Campbell (+6.7)
Big Calais Campbell tied a career high with this grade (Week 1, 2009 against the 49ers). He was a pass-rushing monster against the Panthers, recording six hurries, two sacks and a QB hit.
After a disappearing act last week against Tampa Bay, this was good to see. The defense needs him to be the pass-rusher he was two years ago, when he recorded 8.5 sacks and was one of the highest-rated 3-4 defensive ends in the league.
ILB Daryl Washington (+2.9)
His return to the starting lineup was legendary. Daryl Washington had nine tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two QB hits and was great in coverage (+1.6 grade), including an interception he returned 41 yards.
He even paved the way for a Karlos Dansby sack. His presence on the field allows others to succeed because opposing offenses have to know where he is.
ILB Karlos Dansby (-2.9)
Dansby's grade is quizzical. Despite eight tackles, two sacks and an interception, he was the lowest-rated defensive player against Carolina.
I'd have to go back and watch him specifically in the run game to figure it out, because he was given a -2.2 against the run. Maybe he was pushed around a bit.