Panthers Rise in the Power Rankings

Most of you have probably seen the power rankings at ESPN, Foxsports, etc but I thought I'd post them here for everyone to review.

ESPN.com Power Ranking

We started the season on their list at 17th. After last week we climbed to 5 spots to 12th on the list. I have to agree somewhat with Pat Yasinskas when he writes:

Beating San Diego without Steve Smith was Carolina's biggest win in three seasons. (PY)

Foxsports.com Power Ranking

We went from 13th to 4th, a jump of 9 places, the largest of any list I've seen. Apparently Adrian Hasenmayer is a believer now.

Though conservatively No. 13 in last week's pre-kick rankings, the time for restraint is over. Sunday's thrilling, final-play win in San Diego was no fluke win against no fluke team (Chargers ranked No. 1 last week). Jake Delhomme, healthy again, provided late heroics that were once commonplace in Carolina during the Panthers' first Super Bowl run five years ago. Now that he's healthy, look out.

CBS Sportline.com Power Rankings

16th to 10th.

So maybe I was wrong. Going back to that power football might be just what this team needs. They pushed the Chargers around.

At the beginning of the article Pete Prisco talks about people rushing to judgments already this season and writes in reference to those saying the NFC is becoming the powerhouse division:

So maybe the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears pulled off big road victories against two of the AFC's elite in San Diego and Indianapolis. They should be lauded for that, but the AFC is still the top conference. Maybe Carolina and Chicago are better than most thought, but I get the feeling they're both glad to get those AFC teams out of the way now.

Isn't every team happy after they get a win and out of the way.

Cold Hard Football Power Rankings

From 19th up to 10th, same as Foxsports a jump of 9. I think this sums up the importance of the upcoming game.

Week 2 matchup: vs. Chicago. The two teams that pulled off big interconference road upsets fight to see who’s the official rising star of September.

Although since somebody has to lose, it doesn't mean they will not do big things later this year.

Sports Illustrated Power Rankings

18th to 10th. "Dr. Z" gives some interesting stats on Dante Rosario.

You're right, I didn't have much of a line on Dante Rosario, either, until he got between two defenders and made the catch that sunk the Chargers at the buzzer. I thereupon did a research number on him and turned up an amazing athlete. He's 6-foot-3, 250, drafted in the fifth round out of Oregon last year. OK, ho hum so far, but catch this high school resume. Ran for 1,238 yards as a senior at Dayton, Ore., High. Had 144 tackles and three sacks as safety and middle linebacker. Scored 27 offensive TDs. Intercepted five balls and ran three in for TDs. Two punt returns for TDs. Star for two-time state basketball champ. Majored in political science. Went up to Alaska and served as a bouncer in governor Sarah Palin's State House. No, just kidding about that last one but not about the incredible resume that preceded it.

Just a quick look at where Chicago is placed

EPSN - From 25th to 15th

FoxSports - 23rd to 13th

CBS Sportsline - 24th to 8th

Cold Hard Football - 20th to 6th

Sports Illustrated - 24th to 8th

Obviously neither team had a lot of respect before the season but I have to give it to Chicago for rising so high in the different power rankings. Just another reason this upcoming game should be interesting.