I'm not buying it of course for the many reasons we have discussed at length on CSR over the past two months. First we start with the intro to the rankings that helps explain some of the write up.
2014 NFL power rankings: Seahawks, Broncos back on top - SBNation.com
The NFL is back (almost), and that can mean only one thing: ARBITRARILY RANKING TEAMS! We turned to our network of NFL team blogs to vote on the inaugural 2014 power rankings. They know as much about the league as anyone, so this list is a good barometer for where things stand with opening night only days away.We also added a set of bonus rankings, the Absurd Power Rankings. This week's edition of the Absurd Power Rankings is based on "Dumb Wins," the number of times a team has won a game since 2000 without scoring an offensive touchdown.
I'm not so sure I care about 'Dumb' wins because I will take a win however I can get it.
Now the ranking and explanation (though shaky at best):
17. Carolina Panthers Riverboat Ron has his work cut out for him this year after losing the team's top three wide receivers. Rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin assumes the top spot on the depth chart, and they still have those pricey running backs and Cam Newton. Absurd Power Ranking: 22. The most recent Dumb Win for the Panthers took place in 2003 against the Bucs. Each team had at least 15 penalties, and the two combined for 288 penalty yards. Outstandingly dumb, fellas.
What gets me is they keep focusing on top 3 'WIDE' receivers versus just 'RECEIVERS'. You and I know the Panthers brought back their top receiver from 2013, TE Greg Olsen. But that doesn't help the narrative.
If that ranking and explanation doesn't chap you enough, then take a look where the Saints and Falcons are ranked:
5. New Orleans Saints It was too easy to write off the Saints defense last year, and look how that worked out. Breakout seasons from Junior Galette and Cameron Jordan paced a group that limited opponents to just 19 points per game. This year, they spent big to get safety Jairus Byrd and spent most of their draft picks on defenders. New Orleans' defense might finally get more headlines than Drew Brees and the offense.
I get the reasoning on putting these guys so high but the assumption is the offense will no experience a drop off. I'm not sure that is a given.
14. Atlanta Falcons Injuries have already taken a heavy toll, with Sean Weatherspoon and Sam Baker done before the season even begins. Most concerning is that it the Falcons really didn't do anything to improve on the meager 32 sacks they collected last season.
The write up hits the nail on the head but still results in a #14 position. I know these rankings don't mean squat but I always just wonder why pundits buy into these narratives. It's a lot harder to get back on top after a drop off than to go the other way around. Especially with the agreed upon holes in the Atlanta line up. I still think ATL comes in last in the NFC South.