The Carolina Panthers experienced a fortunate turn of events during their bye week, as they managed to improve their standing in the NFL power rankings. While the Panthers were off, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered an unexpected defeat against the New Orleans Saints, falling to a 7-6 record. This loss resulted in the Buccaneers tying with the Panthers at the top of the NFC South division.
As several other teams near the .500 mark also stumbled, the Panthers climbed three spots to rank No. 14 in the latest power rankings from Sportsnaut, up from No. 17 the previous week. Analysts have pointed out that inconsistency remains a significant issue for the Panthers. This is evident in their performance; the same team that secured victories against the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams also faced a ten-point loss to the Saints on November 9. The Panthers are preparing for a rematch against New Orleans in Week 15, hoping that Dave Canales and Bryce Young can adapt to the challenges posed by the Saints” defense.
Despite their ups and downs, the Panthers” situation looks better compared to other teams in the league, including the Buccaneers, who fell from 15th to 18th in the rankings. The Kansas City Chiefs dropped from 16th to 19th, and the Indianapolis Colts slid from 14th down to 20th following an injury to Daniel Jones. The decline of the Buccaneers is particularly encouraging for the Panthers as they approach the final four games of the season. After starting strong in close matches, the Buccaneers have lost five out of their last seven games, with their only victories coming against New Orleans and Arizona. Currently, Tampa Bay technically holds onto the fourth seed in the NFC, but their point differential stands at -26.
To keep their playoff hopes alive, the Panthers must capitalize on their upcoming matchups against the Buccaneers and aim for at least a split in those games. The outcome of these crucial matchups will significantly affect their chances of claiming the NFC South title.
