Panthers rank: 15th (9th in NFC)
NFC South: Saints 3rd, Buccaneers 26th, Falcons 28th
Beyond the numbers: Carolina dropped one spot following the loss to the 49ers. ESPN's David Newton says that after being the "de facto MVP" or training camp, Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel hasn't carried that momentum into the season. If Samuel can move into a larger role in the offense, it can help take some of the weight off running back Christian McCaffrey.
Panthers rank: 15th (9th in NFC)
NFC South: Saints 3rd, Buccaneers 27th, Falcons 28th
Beyond the numbers: Sunday's loss to the 49ers caused the Panthers to fall two spots in the rankings this week. Dan Hanzus said that after Kyle Allen's performance on Sunday and with Cam Newton nearing 100 percent, Allen may be playing for his job this Sunday against the Titans.
Panthers rank: 16th (10th in NFC)
NFC South: Saints 2nd, Buccaneers 24th, Falcons 29th
Beyond the numbers: The Panthers slipped one spot following last Sunday's loss, according to Bleacher Report's rankings. The B/R staff compared the loss to the 49ers to last season's defeat at Pittsburgh, saying that if the Panthers aren't careful, this one might start a losing skid, too.
Panthers rank: 15th (9th in NFC)
NFC South: Saints 3rd, Buccaneers 26th, Falcons 29th
Beyond the numbers: The Panthers dropped five spots following the loss to the 49ers, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio noted that that 49ers team is even better than the 2015 Denver Broncos team that beat the Panthers in the same stadium in Super Bowl 50.
Panthers rank: 12th (8th in NFC)
NFC South: Saints 3rd, Buccaneers 27th, Falcons 30th
Beyond the numbers: CBS Sports dropped the Panthers three spot this week after the loss to San Francisco. Pete Prisco noted the 49ers "ran right through" the Panthers' previously dominant defense, and that the Kyle Allen show finally seemed to slow down.
