CHARLOTTE – Follow five media outlets throughout the season as their writers update their NFL power rankings, presented by Daimler Trucks North America.
NFL.com
NFC South: Buccaneers 2nd, Saints 23rd, Falcons 24th
ANALYSIS: “The Panthers all but excused themselves from the NFC playoff picture with Sunday’s dispiriting home loss to the Falcons that featured three QB turnovers and extensive playing time for both of Rhule’s underwhelming options under center.”
ESPN
NFC South: Buccaneers 1st, Saints 22nd, Falcons 24th
ANALYSIS: “The offensive rating sums up just where this team went south and what will prevent it from being successful the remainder of the season. Sunday’s loss to Atlanta was a microcosm of the year in that quarterbacks Cam Newton and P.J. Walker combined for two interceptions and a lost fumble that led to 13 of Atlanta’s points.”
CBS Sports
NFC South: Buccaneers 2nd, Saints 23rd, Falcons 25th
ANALYSIS: “The firing of coordinator Joe Brady didn’t do much for the offense. They are just not good enough on that side of the ball, no matter who calls the plays.”
Bleacher Report
NFC South: Buccaneers 4th, Saints 23rd, Falcons 24th
ANALYSIS: “Over his first stint with the Carolina Panthers, quarterback Cam Newton enjoyed a great deal of success. He was named MVP of the NFL and led the team to a berth in Super Bowl 50.
However, that was some time ago. Now, Newton is an aging and limited signal-caller who is winless as a starter in his second stint with the team. However, despite being benched for parts of Sunday’s loss to the Falcons, Newton remains Panthers head coach Matt Rhule’s starter.”
Sports Illustrated
NFC South: Buccaneers 3rd, Saints 18th, Falcons 24th
ANALYSIS: “This team is falling to pieces in a hurry.”
https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-in-the-power-rankings-before-week-15-at-buffalo
