The losing streak is over!
On Sunday, the Carolina Panthers cracked the win column for the first time this season—edging out the visiting Houston Texans, 15-13. So, are they now starting to climb out of the basement in the NFL?
Here’s where your 1-6 Panthers stand across the latest power rankings:
Touchdown Wire
Author: Jarrett Bailey
Rank: 30 (+2)
Take: “The Panthers got their first win, and Frank Reich-coached teams are notoriously very good in the second half of the season.”
USA TODAY
Author: Nate Davis
Rank: 31 (+1)
Take: “Not only did Sunday provide a breakthrough win, Carolina ended a record 56-game losing streak in games where it trailed in the fourth quarter.”
NFL.com
Author: Eric Edholm
Rank: 31 (+1)
Take: “The Panthers won a game, and they had to feel good about Bryce Young having arguably his best NFL outing against the Texans and C.J. Stroud, who had been the better rookie quarterback prior to Sunday. Young has shown some incremental growth and improved confidence in recent games, even if sacks remain an issue. It wasn’t obvious to the naked eye what fruit the play-calling change from Frank Reich to Thomas Brown bore, but Young did seem to be in better rhythm. All of a sudden, you look at the schedule, and there are some winnable games. No team is likely to dig out of an 0-6 hole to make a playoff run, but the Panthers would surely be thrilled if Young could match Cam Newton’s mark of six rookie victories.”
ESPN
Author: David Newton
Rank: 31 (+1)
Take: “Rookie Bryce Young hasn’t had many reasons to celebrate this season. But on Sunday he notched his first career win, and Carolina’s first win of the season. But it was what he did on the winning drive that showed his growth. He was 5-for-6 for 50 yards, including a fourth-down completion to Adam Thielen. He also had a 7-yard scramble. He helped Carolina overcome a fourth-quarter deficit for a win for the first time since 2018 against the Eagles when Cam Newton helped erase a 17-0 deficit. Young’s decision-making and processing on the drive were as elite as advertised when Carolina picked him No. 1 overall.”
CBS Sports
Author: Pete Prisco
Rank: 32 (-)
Take: “They won for the first time in beating the Texans, but it wasn’t easy. The offense did show some signs of life, which is a good thing.”
Pro Football Talk
Author: Mike Florio
Rank: 30 (+2)
Take: “It’s a start. It still feels like, for this season, they’re finished.”
