The power rankings are out for Week 6, and the ‘experts’ are starting to believe what we’ve known all along - this Panthers team is pretty good.
The Panthers have moved into the top-ten — and dare I say the playoffs discussion — after two solid road victories against the Patriots and Lions in back-to-back weeks. The Panthers have an opportunity to further prove they belong in the top tier of the league when they take on the Eagles Thursday night at home.
Here’s how the Panthers stack up in this week’s collection of power rankings:
6. Carolina Panthers
2017 record: 4-1
Week 5 ranking: No. 13
67.4 percent chance [at making the playoffs] - Cam Newton is completing 68 percent of his passes this season, and he has thrown for 300 yards and three touchdowns in consecutive games for the first time in his career. His performance has the Panthers with the fourth-best chances of making the playoffs in the NFC.
I could go into a long diatribe about a quarterback being more than just his completion percentage, but I’ll save that for another day. The Panthers are ranked 6th by ESPN who are normally one of Carolina’s ‘haters’, so I’m going to be happy that we’re finally getting some respect.
I will say this though - there’s more to a quarterback than his completion percentage.
5. Carolina Panthers (4-1, LW: 8)
That’s two straight great games from Cam Newton. If that’s what we can expect from Newton going forward – and the last two weeks were reminiscent of his MVP season – then the Panthers can be Super Bowl contenders.
The Panthers are ranked just one spot below this week’s opponent on Yahoo’s list, so hopefully we can give them a reason to switch those rankings next week. Oh, and it’s nice to see the Panthers in the Super Bowl conversation again. I like that.
5. Carolina Panthers (4-1) | Last Week’s Rank: 8
QB Cam Newton has completed 48 of 62 passes for 671 yards with six TDs and one interception in his past two games. His return from shoulder surgery was gradual but now he has emerged as an accurate pocket passer who clearly has changed his game, with a relatively modest 90 rushing yards this season. Newton was criticized last week, and rightfully so, after his sexist remark for which he later apologized. But things are going extremely well on the field, and if this continues he will be an MVP candidate again and the Panthers will be Super Bowl contenders once more.
Another top-five appearance for the Panthers, and there’s that Super Bowl contenders talk again. I could get used to this.
2. Carolina Panthers (4-1) - Change: +9
Cam Newton's mouth is still in preseason form, but his surgically repaired shoulder now appears to be back to his 2015 MVP form.
Whoa, second overall? The best team outside of the undefeated Chiefs? Heck yeah!
3. Carolina Panthers (LW: 8)
That’s pretty accurate. We have a lot to be hopeful for after winning two tough road games in a row.
What do you think, Panthers fans? Are you glad to see the Panthers getting some respect?
Poll
Where should the Panthers be ranked?
This poll is closed
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54%
Top five for sure
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42%
Somewhere between 6-10
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2%
11-15 sounds about right