Cam Newton was sacked twice and took some hits against the Cowboys defense. (US Presswire)

The Panthers offense recovered from a nightmare game against the Seahawks before the bye week, but Carolina still managed to put up just 14 points, and quarterback Cam Newton is looking for help. “I’m going to bring in a suggestion box,” Newton said, “and I want your suggestions in that suggestion box, because I sure don’t know.” 

Offense: C

Newton’s numbers looked better. He was 21 of 37 for 233 yards, but the offense wasn’t clicking. WR Louis Murphy dropped two balls on third downs, and the injury-ravaged offensive line struggled. Newton got sacked twice, and he was hit as he threw on the interception in the end zone. OG Amini Silatolu got flagged for holding and two false starts, and the running backs mustered just 44 yards on the ground. Previous game's grade: F

Defense: B

Even missing injured starters Jon Beason and Chris Gamble , the defense did enough to win the game.  Linebackers Luke Kuechly , James Anderson and Thomas Davis combined for 37 tackles, and Davis and Kuechly teamed up for a fumble recovery. Cowboys running backs were held to a 2.7 yards-per-carry average, and the Panthers avoided giving up big gains except for one Miles Austin reception against a safety blitz. Previous game's grade: B-

Special teams: C-

Captain Munnerlyn was smothered on punt returns, and Kealoha Pilares got the Panthers to the 16 and the 27 yard lines on his two kick returns. Brad Nortman ’s punting was inconsistent all day. All of Justin Medlock ’s kickoffs went for touchbacks. Previous game's grade: B+

Coaching: B                                                                                                                     

The defensive game plan held the Cowboys’ offense in check despite missing a middle linebacker and cornerback. The offense should have shown more progress after an extra week to work. The Panthers were caught changing defensive personnel and got flagged for an offsides penalty, although Carolina nearly made up for that error by catching Dallas with too many men on the field on a late fourth-and-one play, but the first-down was wiped out when officials ruled that the Cowboys had called for time out before Newton snapped the ball Previous game's grade: C

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Carolina Panthers from blogger Shawn Krest, follow @CBSPanthers.