Here's where the Panthers (3-7-1) stand in various power rankings following their Week 11 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and heading into their bye week.
NFL.com
Panthers' rank: 26th (14th in NFC)
Previous rank: 25th
NFC South: Falcons 21st, Saints 22nd, Panthers 26th, Buccaneers 27th
Beyond the numbers: Elliot Harrison points out that for all of the Panthers' struggles of late, they're still in the NFC South race. He has all four NFC South teams ranked within seven spots of each other.
FoxSports.com
Panthers' rank: 28th (15th in NFC)
Previous rank: 27th
NFC South: Saints 21st, Falcons 22nd, Buccaneers 25th, Panthers 27th
Beyond the numbers: While Dan Schneier comments on common themes – the play of the offensive line and secondary – those actually weren't big problem areas Sunday.
CBSSports.com
Panthers' rank: 25th (13th in NFC)
Previous rank: 22nd
NFC South: Falcons 19th, Saints 23rd, Panthers 25th, Buccaneers 29th
Beyond the numbers: While Pete Prisco bumps the Falcons up nine spots and says they have a chance to take command of the division, Atlanta's next three opponents have a combined record of 22-8.
ESPN.com
Panthers' rank: 25th (13th in NFC)
Previous rank: 22nd
NFC South: Saints 20th, Falcons 21st, Panthers 25th, Buccaneers 30th
Beyond the numbers: The ESPN staff points out that Kelvin Benjamin broke Keary Colbert's record for the most receiving yards by a Panthers rookie, set 10 years ago.
NBCSports.com
Panthers' rank: 26th (14th in NFC)
Previous rank: 26th
NFC South: Saints 20th, Falcons 24th, Panthers 26th, Buccaneers 27th
Beyond the numbers: Mike Florio has the Panthers' next opponent, the Minnesota Vikings ranked 22nd. That's the highest among the analysts.
