Where do the Panthers stand in NFL power rankings…

Where do the Panthers stand in NFL power rankings heading into Week 18?

Well, you probably know where this is headed.

Here, following this past Sunday’s 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, is where the Carolina Panthers stand across the power rankings:

USA TODAY

Author: Nate Davis

Rank: 32 (-)

Take: “Be interesting to note they went 0-for-Florida in 2023, losing thrice in the Sunshine State … except for the fact they went 0-for-the-road in 2023, dropping all nine games away from Charlotte.”

NFL.com

Author: Eric Edholm

Rank: 32 (-)

Take: “This was probably the low-water point of the season, being shut out by the struggling Jaguars, who were starting a backup QB — especially after a stretch in which the Panthers played a more competitive brand of football, beating the Falcons and nearly taking down the Packers. It was doubly painful that Sunday’s loss directly led to the Bears clinching the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft — the selection that Carolina traded away to Chicago last spring in order to draft Bryce Young. Their 2022 first-rounder, Ikem Ekownu, had a difficult time trying to block the Jaguars’ Josh Allen, continuing Ekwonu’s rough Year 2. His future forecast (along with that of Young) remains cloudy right now. A dose of new offensive coaching blood might be able to fix some of this mess, but the O-line could use two or more new starters, and Young likely needs at least that many quality receiving options added to the till.”

ESPN

Author: David Newton

Rank: 32 (-)

Take (on biggest offseason contract to watch): “Carolina tried to get a deal done before the season but wasn’t willing to meet the demands of Burns, which were in the $30 million-a-year range according to a league source. The price might drop slightly after a down year for the two-time Pro Bowl selection, or the Panthers might just opt to use the franchise tag on him. Regardless, this needs to get settled long-term for a key cog to the defense.”