Here's where the Panthers (3-2) stand in various power rankings following their Week 5 victory over the Chicago Bears and heading into Sunday's game at the Cincinnati Bengals.
NFL.com
Panthers' rank: 18th (9th in NFC)
Previous rank: 20th
NFC South: Panthers 18th, Saints 23rd, Falcons 24th, Buccaneers 28th
This week's opponent: Bengals 4th
Beyond the numbers: Elliot Harrison says it's nice to see last year's surprise team back on track, especially on the defensive side, but he expresses concern about the health of the running game.
FoxSports.com
Panthers' rank: 13th (8th in NFC)
Previous rank: 12th
NFC South: Panthers 13th, Saints 22nd, Falcons 25th, Buccaneers 27th
This week's opponent: Bengals 8th
Beyond the numbers: Dan Schneier, who's kept the Panthers higher than anyone else to this point, is the one analyst to drop them after their victory. He praises the defense for bouncing back and closing strong with Thomas Davis back in the lineup.
CBSSports.com
Panthers' rank: 16th (9th in NFC)
Previous rank: 21st
NFC South: Panthers 16th, Falcons 20th, Saints 21st, Buccaneers 27th
This week's opponent: Bengals 4th
Beyond the numbers: Pete Prisco lauds Cam Newton's level of play, then suggests that Newton will have to carry the team. Prisco has a different pecking order within the NFC South than the other analysts.
ESPN.com
Panthers' rank: 15th (9th in NFC)
Previous rank: 20th
NFC South: Panthers 15th, Saints 20th, Falcons 21st, Buccaneers 27th
This week's opponent: Bengals 5th
Beyond the numbers: The ESPN staff notes that Carolina is the only team at or above .500 that has been outscored and makes mention of a "brutal stretch" on the schedule starting this week.
NBCSports.com
Panthers' rank: 13th (7th in NFC)
Previous rank: 20th
NFC South: Panthers 13th, Saints 17th, Falcons 22nd, Buccaneers 28th
This week's opponent: Bengals 6th
Beyond the numbers: Mike Florio moves the Panthers way up this week, befitting his comment that they're "the poster children for this year's roller-coaster NFL season."
