Even in losing their third straight game here in Week 9, the Carolina Panthers showed signs of life on Sunday.

The reigning NFC South champs stayed in the fight against the tough Denver Broncos. But penalties, kicking follies and, perhaps, some questionable officiating pushed them down the path to a bitter 26-21 defeat.

So, what performances should inspire hope for the struggling Panthers moving forward?

Here are the Panthers' best (and worst) Pro Football Focus grades from the loss.

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

Grades listed are provided by PFF as of 9:00 a.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 9.

Best of the offense

1. TE Mitchell Evans: 86.6

2. TE Darren Waller: 84.7

3. QB Bryce Young: 84.3

4. WR John Metchie III: 75.2

5. WR Tetairoa McMillan: 72.7

Evans reeled in a pair of catches for 20 yards. But it was his run blocking, where he earned a team-high 80.1 mark, that left him atop the group here.

His fellow tight end Waller led all pass catchers with eight receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown.

Young completed 28 of his 39 throws for 276 yards, three scores and a wacky interception.

Worst of the offense

10. RT Monroe Freeling: 59.2

11. LT Rasheed Walker: 59.1

12. C Luke Fortner: 57.5

13. WR Brycen Tremayne: 54.9

14. LG Torricelli Simpkins III: 40.7

Freeling and Walker were both charged with three pressures.

Simpkins, in place of an injured Damien Lewis, was given a 45.6 pass-blocking grade.

Best of the defense

1. DL Lee Hunter: 85.3

2. S Zakee Wheatley: 75.6

3. DL Bobby Brown III: 70.6

4. ILB Tyrel Dodson: 69.5

5. CB Chau Smith-Wade: 69.4

Hunter finishes atop the defense for a second consecutive week. He was credited with two stops.

Dodson tied for a team-high eight tackles in replacing Bobby Okereke.

Worst of the defense

13. DL Derrick Brown: 50.4

14. CB Corey Thornton: 42.2

15. CB Marco Wilson: 33.9

16. DL Tershawn Wharton: 33.3

17. DL Aaron Hall: 25.5

Wilson was saddled with a team-worst 32.1 grade in coverage, allowing three catches for 44 yards on four targets. He was also penalized four times.

Thornton wasn't far behind, at least on Wilson, with a 48.9 coverage mark. He relinquished four receptions for 57 yards and two touchdowns while also picking up three flags.