After a solid showing against the Saints last Sunday, the Panthers fell flat in prime time against the reeling Atlanta Falcons just three weeks after getting their head coach and general manager fired. This loss to the Falcons was hard not to notice, so the effects could be felt on most of these power rankings. Let’s start with ESPN because reasons:
18. Carolina Panthers (3-5)
Week 8 ranking: 17
Reason for optimism: Defensive coordinator Phil Snow
The first-year NFL defensive coordinator has dealt with losing his Pro Bowl tackle and his starting end, safety and cornerback. Snow started six rookies in Thursday’s game against Atlanta. And yet the defense has played well enough to give the Panthers a chance to win almost every week. The credit goes to Snow, whose ability to adjust and use of multiple formations in a bend-but-not-break attack has made the Panthers more competitive than many expected through the first eight games. He has by far made a bigger impact than offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who came in as the hot coaching candidate. — David Newton
The Panthers only dropped one slot according to our old pal David Newton. This week’s theme at ESPN is “reasons for optimism,” and Newton went in an interesting direction considering the defense’s inability to stop well-known-threat-to-run-the-ball Matt Ryan and always-demolishing-the-Panthers Julio Jones. While Newton does bring up good points about the players missing on defense, and many of the guys who Snow had to put in against the Falcons were barely born in the 1990s, I’m not sure I’d call that a reason for optimism. It’s a great job by Snow to not let the Falcons put up as many points as the Chiefs are about to, but could have definitely been better.
24 Carolina Panthers
3-5
Previous rank: No. 19
The feel-good vibes of the Panthers’ three-game winning streak are history, replaced by the frustration of a three-game skid. Teddy Bridgewater seemed well set up for a prime-time breakout performance, replete with a charming postgame interview with Colleen Wolfe. Instead, the quarterback looked uncomfortable in the face of a blitz-drunk Falcons defense and dealt with physical issues after an illegal hit left him with a sore neck in the second half. Bridgewater has been a nice story this season, as have Matt Rhule’s Panthers as a whole, but it’s time for Christian McCaffrey to return and reclaim the starring role of this offense.
NFL.com has the Panthers dropping a whopping five spots after that Thursday Night performance, which isn’t surprising. Dan Hanzus brings up the return of the Panthers offense’s best weapon in Chrisitan McCaffrey, which is definitely cause for excitement. Still, that offensive line has to be better because Teddy Bridgewater is clearly not effective when uncomfortable. What did Yahoo! Sports say?
20. Carolina Panthers (3-5, LW: 17)
Christian McCaffrey is expected to practice this week and could play Sunday, according to NFL.com. That would be great because the game is better when McCaffrey is adding to his highlight reel.
Frank Schwab also brings up the Return of the Mac while dropping the Panthers a few spots in the rankings. Mike Davis, we love you, but CMC brings multiple other elements to the game that no one else does. Let’s look at Sports Illustrated:
18. Carolina Panthers (3–5)
Last week: Loss vs. Atlanta 25–17
Next week: at Kansas City
The Panthers have exceeded expectations this season, but even before Teddy Bridgewater was on the receiving end from an illegal hit by the Falcons’ Charles Harris, their offense struggled to gain traction with Bridgewater under heavy pressure all night.
Jenny Vrentas at SI really hit the nail on the head about the offense: the pressure on Teddy threw the rhythm off all night. The inability to stop a simple A Gap blitz was frustrating to say the least. Finally, let’s look at NBC Sports:
20 Carolina Panthers (3-5)
Teddy Bridgewater and the Panthers couldn’t get anything going offensively in their 25-17 loss to the Falcons on Thursday Night Football. It won’t get any easier next week vs. the Chiefs, but they may at least have star running back Christian McCaffrey back in the fold as he could return from an ankle sprain.
(Last three rankings: 22, 17, 16)
It’s here that we can really see the roller coaster the Panthers have been on in the Power Rankings this season. The team has gotten as high as 16 in NBC’s rankings, but now comes the precipitous drop due to losing to the Falcons. With the ball. In the fourth quarter. After they missed an extra point in what looked to be a new, exciting way the Falcons found to lose a football game.
What do you think Panthers fans? Where should Carolina be in the Power Rankings? Sound off in the comments!