The Carolina Panthers got exactly what they needed in Week 4- a big win on primetime.
The Panthers took care of the Lions thanks to another impressive performance from Bryce Young and the defense coming up big when it needed to. It was one of those wins the Panthers had to have after losing to the Browns in Week 3.
Now, the Panthers are in first place in the NFC South at 2-2. The team has a tough schedule the rest of the way, but the NFC South is probably the most winnable division in football.
Let’s see where the Panthers are landing in power rankings after the impressive Week 4 victory.
Fox Sports
This week’s ranking: 12
Last week’s ranking: 16
Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports has the Panthers higher than any other ranking we’re going to talk about. Vacchiano already had the Panthers at 16, and with the impressive win in Week 4, the team is all the way up to 12.
Vacchiano praised Bryce Young and the team’s improving defense, while saying that playing in the “worst division in football,” should help the Panthers “pull away.”
ESPN
This week’s ranking: 18
Last week’s ranking: 22
The Panthers fell down to 22 after losing to the Browns in Week 2, but they’re back up to 18 now. ESPN’s Mike Kaye mentioned that the Panthers have the best passing offense in the league, which is a major reason to buy in.
However, Kaye also noted that the Panthers have been ravaged by injuries. If the team was healthier (and a little more consistent), they’d be higher.
CBS Sports
This week’s ranking: 18
Last week’s ranking: 26
Nobody had the Panthers making a bigger week-to-week jump than Pete Prisco of CBS Sports. Prisco moved the team up eight spots from 26 to 18 after defeating the Lions.
Prisco had the Lions at No. 12 heading into this weekend, so it makes sense why the Panthers got such a big jump. Prisco also mentioned that Bryce Young is headed for a “big payday.”
Pro Football Talk
This week’s ranking: 19
Last week’s ranking: 26
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk also has the Panthers making a big jump, up seven spots from 26 to 19. Florio also had the Lions as top 15 team, explaining the big jump for Carolina.
Florio also mentioned that Young “is getting better,” which is certainly true. Once people start trusting Young, the Panthers could surge even higher.
