For the second time this season, the Carolina Panthers snapped a six-game losing streak with a walk-off win. (Yeah, that’s not exactly a great stat. But hey, at least they’re back on the good side of the column!)
But did their 9-7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons move them up across this week’s power rankings? Let’s take a look . . .
Touchdown Wire
Author: Jarrett Bailey
Rank: 32 (-)
Take: “Huzzah! The Panthers won a game… 9-7 in front of what looked like 17 people. The Chicago Bears will kindly thank them if they don’t win another game this season.”
USA TODAY
Author: Nate Davis
Rank: 32 (-)
Take: “Even after a rare win, interim HC Chris Tabor couldn’t find a better talking point than the confidence he had in his kicker to convert a 23-yard field goal. But, hey, take your victories however you can get them.”
NFL.com
Author: Eric Edholm
Rank: 32 (-)
Take: “Kudos to interim coach Chris Tabor (who’s a witty guy and a good football coach) on Dub No. 1. He has a unique chance to pad his win total as a first-time head coach and sting his former employer. The Bears currently own Carolina’s No. 1 overall pick in the draft, but another win — with suddenly shaky Green Bay and Jacksonville up next on the schedule — and the Panthers could shift the top of the draft order completely, with the 3-11 Patriots and Cardinals nipping close behind. And win No. 2 for Bryce Young was mildly encouraging, highlighted by zero turnovers and a clock-draining, game-winning, 90-yard drive in the rain against a desperate team. The Panthers should have money to spend this offseason, and owner David Tepper is extremely eager to win, so imagining the Young we saw Sunday getting better blocking and having better targets puts a positive but realistic spin on things.”
ESPN
Author: David Newton
Rank: 32 (-)
Take (on zero plays with a lead in the fourth quarter): “The number is 0. This is how the team has an NFL-worst record. It’s an odd stat because both of Carolina’s wins, including Sunday against Atlanta, came on walk-off field goals. The Panthers also are tied for first in successful two-point conversions (2-for-2; 100%), but having no plays with the lead in the fourth quarter pretty much sums up this season.”
CBS Sports
Author: Pete Prisco
Rank: 32 (-)
Take: “They beat the Falcons, but the best news was that Bryce Young did it with a game-winning drive. That’s progress.”
Pro Football Talk
Author: Mike Florio
Rank: 31 (+1)
Take: “At least the few who showed up got a reward for getting soaked.”
