NFL Power Rankings, Week 16: Bears celebrating, Patriots fading
. 6-7. Previous: . Carolina Panthers. 18. team. 87
Recap: So what has gone wrong for Ron Rivera’s team? At 6-2, the Carolina Panthers look like they were on course to make the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. They also appeared to be well on their way to a second straight winning season, which would have been a first in the team’s somewhat-brief history. And now it will take three straight wins to manage that feat. Second-year running back Christian McCaffrey has enjoyed a huge year with 1,627 yards from scrimmage and 13 scores. Cam Newton has had some ups and downs but has thrown twice as many TD passes (24) as interceptions (12). But the Carolina defense has been a big-time disappointment.
Next Week: The Panthers will square off at home with a divisional rival for the second time in seven days as they host the Falcons. Three months ago at Atlanta, Carolina came up short via a 31-24 score. But Rivera’s team owns a 4-2 home record in this setting dating back to 2012, including a 20-17 victory a year ago in Week 9.
Playoff hopes: Rivera’s club is still in the wild card mix as the team prepares to close out 2018 with three straight games vs. their NFC South rivals. That’s a pair with the Saints sandwiching a trip to Atlanta. It has to start with a win on Monday night against a team that defeated them three times in 2017.
Next: No. 17