Excluding the special teams, for 30 minutes Sunday, the Panthers collectively performed with cohesion and purpose, a dominating style they were expected to achieve since Week 1.

The result? A 34-21 victory over the vaunted Cardinals.

Now, starting in Week 9, the Panthers need to work on playing a full game.  Here are Sunday’s positional grades:

Quarterbacks: Jake Delhomme made a statement early, leading a pass to Dwayne Jarrett, up and where only he could catch it. Not long after, set up by the running game, Delhomme hit Steve Smith for his season’s first scoring pass to a wide receiver. Despite leaving early with a chest injury, which reports suggest should not be a lingering problem, Delhomme did not throw an interception. That’s the first time he’s accomplished that since Dec. 2008 … Backup Matt Moore, playing much of the fourth quarter, threw one pass. Grade: B

Running Backs: Against the NFL’s top rushing defense, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart effectively utilized cutback runs, leading to big plays. Williams scampered for a season-high 77-yard run and Stewart scored twice. … A valuable blocker, Brad Hoover was carted off in third quarter with an ankle sprain, leaving the Panthers vulnerable at fullback. Grade: A

Receivers/Tight Ends: The 50-yard score made Smith look like the ‘05 version, but it was not his best play Sunday. That distinction came on Stewart’s second TD run when Smith blocked overmatched defender Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie clear into the end zone. … Projects Jarrett, in for injured veteran Muhsin Muhammad, and tight end Gary Barnidge each had strong first halves. Barnidge needs to stay healthy. Grade: B

Offensive Line: The entire line deserves the game ball, rebounding from heavy early season criticism. Starting strong Sunday - the Panthers gained 116 first-quarter yards - and ending with a run-dominated fourth quarter, the linemen, spearheaded by the pulls of Jordan Gross and Ryan Kalil, pushed the Panthers to 270 rushing yards, second highest single-game total in team history. Grade: A

Jordan Gross and Co. paved the way for 270 rushing yards by the Panthers on Sunday.

Defensive Line: Face down and injured briefly, Julius Peppers struggled to his feet after his most recent hog-tie. Peppers was held at least three times Sunday without a call, but had the last laugh with is first TD since 2004. Peppers’comeback-halting, fourth-quarter sack and forced fumble was his first solo tackle. … Fulfilling his role, veteran NG Hollis Thomas plugged the interior, allowing the linebackers to exert punishment. Grade: A

Linebackers: Thomas Davis executed the game’s highlight tackle in the second quarter, knocking off Tim Hightower’s helmet. … Jon Beason led the club in tackles, but his best moment didn’t count. Recovering a second-quarter fumble that ultimately was overturned, Beason made at least six moves carrying the ball. Well, at least he looked smooth. Grade: A

Secondary: The one-dimensional Cardinals, featuring their three receivers, were buried at home. Welcome to the lineup, Sharrod Martin, who snared two ill-fated Kurt Warner passes, and C.J. Wilson. The unit’s coverage played a primary role in collecting five interceptions, the second club to pull the trick against Warner. Grade: A

Special Teams: Brutal, pure and simple, in terms of surrendering field position. Save kicker John Kasay’s 10 points and punter Jason Baker’s 57-yarder, this group is a mess. Not only did Cards placekicker Neil Rackers compile two tackles – can no one block a kicker? – the coverage squad allowed an inopportune 53-yard kickoff and the “return specialists” failed to communicate. Grade: C (F without the kickers)

Coaching: Coach John Fox attacked the Cardinals’ strength, proving his blockers and runners were tougher than their defenders – at least for the first half. Next week, with the Saints and mounting injuries, Fox’s biggest in-season challenge is approaching. Grade: B

-- JEFF HAWKINS