NFL Power Rankings, Week 9: Broncos back on top - SBNation.com
9. Carolina Panthers Don't look now, but after a 1-3 start the Panthers have been playing some high-quality ball. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula is finally figuring out what to do with Cam Newton, and their defensive front is handing out weekly beatings. They're working around weak links on the OL and in the secondary, but their strengths could land them a Wild Card while preventing the Saints from resting on their laurels in the South.
Wow...I'm not complaining, just surprised at the turnaround in national opinion. It's a pretty accurate description of the transition we have seen in the Panthers over the past three games though.
Looking at the rest of the rankings I'm not sure how the Chiefs are not #1 and instead at #4. I don't care how ugly the wins are they are the only undefeated team so they should be at the top. The Saints are a notch behind at #5 but they can feel the Panthers hot on their trail!
The Falcons have plummeted to #24 as they look terrible in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Then there is the Bucs who remain at #1 and rightfully so. They are a total train wreck.
Looking around at other rankings this one seems a little more plausible:
NFL Power Rankings, Week 9: Carolina Panthers rise slow because of quality of wins | MLive.com
14. Carolina Panthers (4-3) The Panthers have beat up on bad opponents. We'll know a lot more about this team in two weeks, when they travel to San Francisco. (Last week: 18)
So what do you think of the Panthers being ranked #9?